LYTTON — British Columbia’s wildfire service says a wildfire burning near Lytton has been growing away from communities, and that weather has been helping in the fight against it.

Fire information officer Paula Walbauer said Sunday that lighter winds helped crews get out and directly attack both the north and south flanks of the Saw Creek fire burning along Highway 1, south of the village.

The latest estimate puts the size of the out-of-control fire at about seven square kilometres, up slightly from Saturday.

“We’re seeing growth up slope, so that would be away from the highway, away from communities,” Walbauer said.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District said Sunday evening that some evacuation orders it had issued on behalf of the Village of Lytton were downgraded to evacuation alerts.

It said an evacuation order remains in effect for approximately 15 properties within the village and the electoral area.

An update posted online Sunday by the BC Wildfire Service said crews overnight prioritized the protection and defence of structures.

Walbauer said temperatures are expected to get warmer over the next few days.

“Temperatures today (Sunday) are still slightly lower. I think in the next few days we’re going to see temperatures rise,” she said, adding conditions on Sunday were good for firefighting.

Environment Canada is forecasting highs between 33 and 35 C from Monday through Wednesday.

More than 230 properties have been affected by evacuation orders and alerts in the area because of the fire, which has also shut down a more than 115-kilometre stretch of Highway 1.

The Lytton First Nation also issued two evacuation orders for some of its residents. One was later downgraded to an evacuation alert, while the other remained in place as of late Sunday.

The wildfire broke out Friday, near the fifth anniversary of the June 30, 2021, inferno that razed the town and claimed two lives.

The regional district has declared a state of emergency in Lytton and Blue Sky Country, as 135 firefighters, nine helicopters and structure protection crews work to contain the flames. 

As of Sunday afternoon there were 16 active wildfires in the province, with two listed as out-of-control.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 21, 2026.