The British Columbia Wildfire Service says it is bringing in another 21-person unit crew to help fight the fire that broke out Thursday nearly two kilometers northwest of Lytton on the other side of the Fraser River. That brings the total to four unit crews on the scene, and the agency said 15 structural protection specialists and several helicopters are also being mobilized to help contain the fire. There was minimal fire overnight Friday into Saturday as winds calmed, but the steep terrain remained a challenge, he said. Environment Canada issued a special air quality advisory for the Fraser Canyon on Saturday due to wildfire smoke. She said the conditions were expected to last 24 to 48 hours, but her bulletin would be updated on Sunday. The blaze, which has spread to about 1,500 hectares and burned at least half a dozen homes, comes just over a year after another blaze burned most of Lytton and displaced many residents who have yet to return to their homes. Authorities say the cause of the fire is unknown but under investigation. Provincial Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Friday that neither the village of Lyton nor any other communities are in the path of the fire and no injuries have been reported. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 16, 2022.
