The Thompson Nicola Regional District has issued new evacuation warnings north of the Nohomin Creek wildfire. The alert affects 31 properties north of Lytton along Highway 12 on the west side of the Fraser River and north of the Stein River. All properties up to the boundaries of the Squamish Lillooet Regional District are included. A map of properties on alert is here. An evacuation order for 24 properties closest to the fire that was issued earlier in the day remains in effect. Those on evacuation watch should pack up and prepare to leave immediately. UPDATE 9:30 p.m A BC fire service spokesman said some crews will remain on scene at the Nohomin Creek fire, about 1.7 kilometers west of Lytton, through the night. The fire is out of control and is estimated to have reached 200 acres since it started early this afternoon. The fire is showing category three and four fire behavior, meaning it is a moderate to severe ground fire with some smoldering. Aircraft are expected to respond to the fire in the morning. UPDATE: 7:41 p.m The Nohomin Creek Fire, about 1.7 kilometers west of Lytton, has exploded in size. The BC Wildfire Service now estimates the fire at 200 hectares, up from 75 hectares a few hours ago. The fire is characterized as uncontrollable and burning aggressively. Heavy smoke, accessibility and terrain present challenges for staff. There are unconfirmed reports that some structures have been destroyed by the flames. At this time, there is no impact on Highway 1 or Highway 12. Lytton Ferry is closed in both directions. UPDATE: 6:35 p.m A new evacuation order has been issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. It includes 24 properties along Spencer Road, northwest of Lytton, west of the Fraser River, north of IR27 and south of IR9B. People in the affected area should leave immediately. Evacuees should take Spencer Road North in Lillooet for an emergency exit. 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. Photo: TNRD An evacuation order has been issued for approximately 24 addresses in the Spencer Road area. UPDATE 5:49 p.m The Nohomin Creek fire, about 1.7 kilometers west of Lytton, has now been mapped at 75 hectares. Lytton First Nation has implemented an evacuation alert and evacuation order for some areas. The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is burning at intensity 3 and 4. “Smoke and terrain present challenges on two sides of the fire,” the agency said in a briefing. UPDATE: 4:38 p.m Officials are working to confirm reports that three structures were lost in a fire that started Thursday afternoon near Lytton. The Nohomin Creek fire is burning about 1.7 kilometers west of Lytton, covering about 25 hectares. More than 50 BC Wildfire Service firefighters. are on the ground fighting the fire, with the help of helicopters and air tankers. The fire occurred at 12:45 noon on Thursday. Emergency Management BC’s Padar Brach said some evacuations are underway and other nearby areas have been put on evacuation alert. “We have received reports that around three structures may have been lost, but this is yet to be confirmed,” he said. Lytton First Nation deputy chief John Haugen said about nine members of the band are under an evacuation order. Rob Schweitzer, director of operations for the BC Wildfire Service, said gusty winds are making things difficult on the ground. “Crews will continue to work throughout the evening and overnight as needed,” he said. This story will be updated if more information becomes known. UPDATE 3:50 p.m The provincial government is hosting a press conference on the Lytton fire at 4:15 p.m. Castanet will cover it live. UPDATE 3:20 p.m A large plume of smoke from the wildfire burning near Lytton is visible from the Nav Canada weather station. Weather station CWLY, located just south of the burned city, has a northwest-facing camera that recorded the plume. Photo: NavCanada View of a wildfire burning near Lytton from the Nav Canada weather station. UPDATE: 2:50 p.m Gusty winds are affecting the wildfire burning near Lytton Thursday. In a Tweet Thursday afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says the new fire, called the Nohomin Creek Fire, is now burning a two-hectare area about 1.7 kilometers northwest of Lytton, across the Fraser River. “The behavior of the fire is being affected by the gusty winds in the area,” BCWS says. “This is a dynamic situation and updates will be provided as they become available.” Multiple BCWS crews have responded to the scene, along with helicopter and aircraft support. The BCWS fire map says the fire is believed to have started at 5:44 am. on Thursday and its probable cause is unknown. Most of Lytton burned to the ground in late June 2021, during a record heat wave across the province. The region has seen frequent wildfires over the years, but a cooler and wetter spring has delayed fire season in southern B.C. so far.
#BCWildfire is responding to the Nohomin Creek Fire (K70580) located approximately 1.7 km northwest of Lytton on the west side of the Fraser River. The fire is estimated at an area of two hectares. The behavior of the fire is affected by the gale force winds in the area. pic.twitter.com/qTIxrZfBsa — BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) July 14, 2022 NOTE: A fire broke out in Lytton this afternoon. Smoke can be seen billowing over the Lytton First Nation reserve. It appears to be west of the Fraser River, near the ferry. pic.twitter.com/xwVtv6oG4C — UBCIC (@UBCIC) July 14, 2022 ORIGINAL: 1:55 p.m BC Fire Service crews are heading to an area near Lytton for reports of a heavy fire. A BCWS fire officer confirmed to Castanet that crews are heading to the fire. He said more information was expected in the next hour. The fire is believed to be west of Lytton. Do you have photos or videos of the fire? e-mail [email protected] or call 778-471-2151. Photo: Jack McIntyre / Facebook
