Some evacuees allowed to go home as crews continue fighting fire near Lytton, B.C.

LYTTON — Fire crews are working on two barriers to slow the spread of a wildfire near Lytton, B.C., as many residents in the area are allowed to return home after being forced out last week.

The provincial wildfire service says some of the 150 firefighters working on the Saw Creek wildfire are establishing a 15-metre control line along the north flank on the fire, while a barrier twice that size is being built between the Trans-Canada Highway to the Fraser River.

The seven-square-kilometre fire is classified as out of control and set off multiple evacuation orders after it was discovered on Friday.

By late Sunday the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and Village of Lytton had lifted evacuation orders for 47 properties but left the order in place for about a dozen others in and around the village.

More than 200 properties are under evacuation alert, meaning people living there need to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

The Lytton First Nation also downgraded part of its evacuation order to an alert.

The wildfire is burning south of Lytton, but officials have said it has been growing away from communities, and that weather has been helping with the suppression.

“Fire activity was decreased overnight due to cooler temperatures and light winds. Crews and structure protection personnel prioritized the protection and defence of structures in the fire area,” Monday’s update said.

“Fire crews and aircraft continue to focus efforts on securing the perimeter of the communities near this incident.”

The latest update says 10 helicopters have been assigned to the fire, along with 53 structure protection personnel and five pieces of heavy equipment.

Wildfire officials say temperatures are expected to get warmer over the next few days, with Environment Canada forecasting highs between 33 C and 35 C from Monday through Wednesday.

The wildfire broke out Friday, days away from the fifth anniversary of the June 30, 2021, inferno that razed the town and killed two people.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 22, 2026.