Wildfire near Lytton continues to burn out of control; partial lifting of evacuation alert

An evacuation alert for some of the several properties in the vicinity of the wildfire burning near Lytton has been lifted, but the George Road fire remains out of control.

The wildfire, seven kilometres south of Lytton and adjacent to Highway 1 was discovered on June 16, and grew to an estimated 3.5 square kilometres over the weekend. Sixty firefighters are on the ground working the fire today, June 21, aided by eight helicopters and two heavy equipment units.

The Thompson Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation alert on Thursday, but residents on 10 properties were told today there is no longer an imminent risk for them.

Lytton First Nation Kitzowit Indian Reserve 20 remains under evacuation alert, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

The George Road wildfire is burning on steep terrain, adding difficulty for firefighters to effectively suppress the blaze, the wildfire service said.

The service said as the region moves into hotter and drier weather, it is working with its partners and land managers to create a long-term management and monitoring strategy for the upper areas of the fire where ground crews cannot safely work.

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