Update, 11:40 p.m.
An evacuation order has been issued for a portion of the Village of Lytton and an evacuation alert is in place for the whole village.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has issued an evacuation order for about 47 properties in the Village of Lytton.
The order is for:
- Properties east of Highway 1 within Village boundaries, including Ponderosa Heights
- Any other properties as outlined on the attached map.
“If you are in the described area, you must leave immediately. A person must not enter the Evacuation Order area for purposes of residing, occupying, or visiting the area.”
For a full list of what to do as a result of the order, click here.
An evacuation alert is also in place for about 168 properties in the Village of Lytton.
“This Evacuation Alert is in place to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an Evacuation Order; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.”
For a full list of what to do as a result of the alert, click here.
Update, 10:30 p.m.
An evacuation order has been issued for areas east of Highway 1 north and south of Lytton.
According to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), the evacuation order impacts about 13 properties in Electoral Area I (Blue Sky Country). It was put in effect at 10 p.m.
Impacted areas are as follows:
- Properties east of Highway 1 from Florence Road north to Airport Road
- Any other properties as outlined on the attached map
The TNRD has also issued an evacuation alert for two properties in Electoral Area I.
Impacted areas are:
- 1145 and 1345 Trans-Canada Highway
- Any other properties as outlined on the attached map
The area of the Village of Lytton west of Highway 1 is also on evacuation alert. The highway remains closed to all traffic in both directions from Boston Bar to Airport Road north of Lytton. A detour is available via Highway 5.
Evacuees who need Emergency Support Services are being directed to Lytton First Nation’s Battlefield Community Hall (1765 Battlefield Road) for shelter.
Residents who are under evacuation alert have been told that while there is no need to evacuate at this time, they should be prepared to do so on short notice if necessary.
All active TNRD evacuation orders and alerts can be found here. You can also find details of all evacuation alerts and orders in the province, from municipalities, regional districts, and First Nations, at EmergencyInfoBC.
The Kamloops Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has been activated and provides emergency site support.
McArthur Island Park Centre will reportedly be open on Saturday morning to receive evacuees.
Update, 10:06 p.m.
The Saw Creek wildfire near Lytton is now 200 hectares in size.
The wildfire, which was first reported by BC Wildfire Service as 10 hectares late Friday afternoon, has rapidly grown through the evening.
It was noted as 100 hectares at 6:45 p.m. The most recent update, which put the fire at 200 hectares, was made at 9:45 p.m.
Firefighting crews from around the province are being called in to assist in tackling the wildfire of note.
The fire is suspected to be human caused.
This incident comes 11 days and five years after the Lytton Creek wildfire burned over 83,000 hectares, killed two people, destroyed 90 per cent of the village, before being officially contained in early August of 2021.
Update, 9:56 p.m.
Barriere Fire Rescue is sending apparatus to support the fight against the wildfire near Lytton.
The department posted at 9:51 p.m. that they are sending a Type 5 (Bush Truck) to support BC Wildfire Service.
“Thank you to our crews who are responding, the ones that helped get them on the road, and to those who have cleared their schedules to be available for our area. Be safe.”
Update, 9:46 p.m.
Members of the Chilliwack Fire Department have been deployed to the Saw Creek wildfire near Lytton.
According to a Facebook post from the department from 8:52 p.m., members will be supporting suppression efforts at the fire of note which grew to 100 hectares on Friday.
“We’re incredibly proud of these firefighters who have stepped forward to assist,” they said.
Update, 9:37 p.m.
The Clearwater Volunteer Fire Department has been called in to help battle the Saw Creek wildfire.
They posted to their Facebook page at 9:15 p.m. saying that the BC Wildfire Service requested a crew from the department to go to the evolving wildfire near Lytton.
“We are sending our Type 3 Engine with three personnel. We wish them well and stay safe,” the department said.
Travel from Clearwater to Lytton takes over three hours.
The wildfire of note is estimated to be 100 hectares in size.
Update: 9:17 p.m.
The Saw Creek blaze is now considered a wildfire of note and is an estimated 100 hectares in size.
The wildfire is spreading, or it is anticipated to spread beyond the current perimeter, or control line and is creating an increased level of interest.
This incident comes 11 days and five years after the Lytton Creek wildfire burned over 83,000 hectares, killed two people, destroyed 90 per cent of the village, before being officially contained in early August of 2021.
Update, 8:33 p.m.
The Lytton First Nation has issued an evacuation alert for residents north of Klahkamich 17 due to the Saw Creek wildfire.
A Voyent Alert was issued advising of the evacuation alert due to the uncontrolled wildfire south of Lytton, which grew to 100 hectares in a short span on Friday, June 19.
“An evacuation alert has been issued for residents located north of Klahkamich 17. There is no need to evacuate at this time, but be prepared to do so on short notice, if an evacuation order is issued,” the Voyent Alert reads.
If an evacuation order is issued, evacuees can report to the Battlefields Community Hall for shelter.
Additional information will be provided as it becomes available, the alert says.
Update, 8:30 p.m.
BC Hydro is dealing with a power outage that is affecting around 1,000 customers in and around Lytton.
Power is out for customers along Highway 1 from north of Boston Bar to north of Spences Bridge, and includes all of the Village of Lytton. Customers on the west side of the Fraser River at Lytton are also affected, with the outage stretching along Highway 12 towards Lillooet.
Customers along Highway 8 from Spences Bridge to Merritt are also affected.
BC Hydro has crews assigned. There is no estimated time as to when power will be restored.
Information about the power outage in the region can be found here.
Update: 7:11 p.m.
The blaze south of Lytton is now being reported as 100 hectares, as of a 6:45 p.m. update from the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
Highway 1 is currently impacted with 116.7 km between Cottonwood Road and Airport Road closed in both directions.
Multiple BCWS crews are responding along with Lytton Fire and Rescue. Aerial resources and structure protection have also been deployed.
The wildfire service says the blaze is currently burning at Rank 4 and 5, meaning a highly to extremely vigorous surface fire with an organized crown fire, and moderate to long range spotting.
“Hot and dry conditions have made fuels highly susceptible to ignition.”
There are no current evacuation alerts or orders.
BCWS is working alongside the Ministry of Transportation and Transit.
Updates on the fire can be found here, with highway updates here.
Updates on the fire can be found here, with highway updates here.
Original story
A wildfire sparked about four kilometres south of Lytton.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reported the fire on Friday afternoon, with the latest update coming in at 5:38 p.m.
The blaze, located near Saw Creek, is an estimated 10 hectares and is burning out of control.
Flames can be seen on the east side of the Fraser River along the Trans-Canada Highway.
Drive BC notes a road closure on Highway 1 in both directions between Cottonwood Road and Airport Road for 116.7 km.
“There is a wildfire. Road closed. Assessment in progress. Watch for traffic control. Use Highway 5 and Highway 97C as alternative routes.”
The fire (number K70597) is suspected to be human-caused, according to BCWS.
On June 30, 2021, after several days of record-breaking temperatures and the heat dome, the Lytton Creek wildfire started south of the village.
Two people died in the wildfire, and 90 per cent of the village’s homes, shops and services were destroyed. While some people’s homes were spared in the fire, the report says the loss of Lytton as a service hub was “catastrophic” to the village’s 210 residents and thousands of people in the region.