Evacuations ordered northeast of Lytton as wildfire grows

As the Lytton Creek wildfire experiences growth to the northeast, the Thompson Nicola Regional District has issued an evacuation order to 169 properties near Spences Bridge.

The regional district has also issued an evacuation alert to 94 properties further east toward Merritt.

The Lytton Creek wildfire razed the village of Lytton on June 30, the same day the wildfire was discovered. Since then, it's now grown to an estimated 24,365 hectares, according to B.C. Wildfire Service.

The fire grew significantly overnight on July 21. Continuing heat coupled with strong winds have left the blaze difficult to contain, leaving it still considered out of control.

There are 42 firefighters at the Lytton Creek wildfire, with the assistance of four helicopters and 11 heavy equipment units.

There are currently 268 wildfires burning in B.C., with 95 of those within the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Go to the Thompson Nicola Regional District website here for more information on emergency services and affected properties.

— This story was updated at 4:17 p.m., July 22, 2021, with a new estimated size of the Lytton Creek wildfire.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.