Crews continued to battle a fast-growing wildfire outside Lytton, British Columbia, on Friday, with two dozen families in the area being evacuated from their homes.
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 British Columbia Wildfire Service said the out-of-control fire was burning vigorously, rated a four on a six-point scale that measures fire behavior.
Another 60 firefighters and personnel arrived Friday morning.
The fire is located on the west side of the Fraser River, less than two kilometers from the village, which was destroyed by an aggressive wildfire following a record heat wave last summer.
Homes and properties on the west bank, part of the Lytton First Nation reserve, were spared during that fire but stand closer to the current fire.
Thompson-Nicola Regional County issued an evacuation order Thursday for 24 addresses in the area. An evacuation warning for 31 additional properties north of the fire is also in place, advising residents to be prepared to leave immediately.
The Lytton First Nation also has evacuation orders for several reserves:
- Nohomeen Indian Reservation 23;
- Papyum Indian Reserves 27 and 27A;
- Lytton Indian Reserve 27B;
- Papium Cemetery 27C;
- and Stryen Indian Reserve 9, west of the Stein River.
The orders affect nearly 150 people, but some remain.
“Most people are aware that the fire is in our midst and they are aware that the fire is a big risk to their safety, so many have left,” said John Haugen, Lytton First Nation deputy fire chief.
“Many people were left to fight the fires closer to their homes. They were able to save some of the buildings.”
Coleman said firefighting efforts have been a challenge 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.
Why Lytton, British Columbia, is among the hottest places in Canada
Johanna Wagstaffe explains how Lytton’s geography causes the temperature in the village to exceed 30C on average 80 times during the summer.
Flooding also complicated evacuations Thursday, with the regional district directing evacuees to take Spencer Road North to Lillooet for emergency assistance.
“The southbound route to Boston Bar on the west side of the Fraser River has been compromised due to the spring freshet, and Lytton Ferry remains out of service due to high water,” a statement said.
The blaze, called the Nohonim Creek fire, started around 12:45 a.m. Thursday. Authorities said the flames spread quickly, fanned by gusty winds in the area.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service said the cause is unknown.
Power to Lytton Township has been out since Thursday afternoon. As of noon Friday, BC Hydro said just over 70 people were still cut off.
Pader Brach, executive director of regional operations at Emergency Management BC, said some buildings may already be destroyed.
“We have received reports that approximately three structures may have been lost, but this is yet to be confirmed,” he said on Thursday.
Premier John Horgan said his thoughts were with the people of the area.
“It is unimaginable to face a second wildfire a year after the devastation they faced,” he wrote on Twitter. “Thank you to the teams working to keep people safe.”
Brach said emergency aid, including food, shelter and clothing, would be provided to people under evacuation orders for up to 72 hours.
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