UPDATE: Lytton wildfire remains out of control as firefighters deal with challenging conditions

The Nohomin Creek wildfire burning near Lytton won’t be getting much relief from the weather today.

The wildfire, located approximately 1.7 kilometres northwest of Lytton, is estimated to have grown to 1,500 hectares as of late last night, July 15.  The blaze comes just over a year after a ferocious wildfire scorched the same region, levelling the town centre and displacing many residents who have yet to return home.

The Environment Canada forecast for Lytton today, July 16, is predicting a daytime high of 28 Celsius and low of 14 C. Winds are forecast at 24 km/h and there is a slight chance of rain.

Yesterday, the winds were between 30 and 40 km/h but were fortunately blowing the fire away from communities, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.

READ MORE: Smoky skies warning for Fraser Canyon due to wildfire near Lytton

However, yesterday’s smoke was so thick over the wildfire that air tankers and a birddog aircraft had to be grounded.

Crews are fighting the fire on steep terrain, and direct attacks on the fire are challenging and inaccessible in some areas. The focus is on battling the southern, eastern and northern flanks, and crews are being supported with line construction and structure protection efforts.

The wildfire service said it has brought another 21-person unit crew to help fight the blaze. This brings the total to four unit crews on site, and the service said 15 structure protection specialists and multiple helicopters have also been mobilized to help contain the blaze.

The Lytton First Nation and Thompson-Nicola Regional District have issued evacuation orders and alerts for dozens of properties on the west side of the river. Evacuees have been told to travel to emergency reception centres in Lillooet or Cache Creek.

At least six homes have been lost.

Tricia Thorpe lives in the area and said the fire is renewing memories of last year's wildfire that destroyed much of Lytton.

"It's devastating. I feel for the local fire crew," she said.

"They are a great, caring group of men and women and for them to have to experience this at home, again, has got to be gut-wrenching."

Thorpe said her heart goes out to those she calls the "westside people," meaning those living on the west side of the Fraser River, across from Lytton.

"They are the ones who welcomed us into their community last year when we lost everything in the Lytton wildfire," she said.

The Nohomin Creek wildfire was first discovered on July 14.

— This story was updated at 12:15 p.m. Saturday, July 16, 2022, with new information from the wildfire service.

— With files from The Canadian Press

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