The fire had burned more than eight square kilometers of trees and brush by midday – an area twice the size of Vancouver’s Stanley Park. The BC Wildfire Service said the out-of-control fire is burning fiercely, ranking as a four on a six-point scale that measures fire behavior. Another 60 firefighters and personnel arrived Friday morning. The fire is on the west side of the Fraser River, less than two kilometers from the village that was wiped out by an aggressive wildfire following a record-breaking heat wave last summer. Homes and properties on the west coast, part of the Lytton First Nation reserve, were spared during that fire, but are closer to today’s fire. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order Thursday for 24 addresses in the area. An evacuation alert is also in effect for 31 additional properties north of the fire, telling residents to be ready to leave immediately. Lytton First Nation also has evacuation orders in effect for several reserves:
Nohomeen Indian Reserve 23; Papyum Indian Reserves 27 and 27A; Lytton Indian Reserve 27B; Papyum Graveyard 27C; and Stryen Indian Reserve 9, west of the Stein River.
The orders affect nearly 150 people, but some have been left behind. “Most people know that fire is in our midst and they know that fire is a big risk to their safety, so a lot left,” said John Haugen, the Lytton First Nation deputy fire chief. “There are many who stayed and put out the fires closer to their homes. They were able to save some of the structures.” Coleman said firefighting efforts were difficult because road access to the area is limited. West Coast residents have been crossing the Fraser River on foot, over a CN rail bridge, for weeks.
Because Lytton, BC, is one of the hottest places in Canada
Johanna Wagstaffe explains how the geography of Lytton causes the village’s temperature to exceed 30C, on average, 80 times during the summer. Flooding also complicated Thursday’s evacuation, with the regional district directing evacuees to go to Spencer Road North in Lillooet for emergency assistance. “The route south to Boston Bar on the west side of the Fraser River has been compromised by the spring freshet and the Lytton Ferry remains out of service due to high water,” a statement said. The fire, called the Nohonim Creek Fire, started around 12:45 p.m. Thursday. Officials said the flames spread quickly, fanned by gusty winds in the area. The BC Wildfire Service said the cause is unknown. Power to the Township of Lytton has been out since Thursday afternoon. As of midday Friday, BC Hydro said just over 70 people were still without power. Pader Brach, executive director of regional operations at Emergency Management BC, said some buildings may already be damaged. “We have received reports that about three structures may have been lost, but this is yet to be confirmed,” he said on Thursday. Premier John Horgan said his thoughts are with the people in the area. “It is unthinkable to have to deal with a second fire a year after the devastation they faced,” he tweeted. “Thank you to the crews working to keep people safe.” Brach said emergency support, including food, shelter and clothing, would be provided to those ordered to evacuate for up to 72 hours.
