Update: 4:30 pm
The Nohomin Creek wildfire has grown to 1,500 hectares as the fire has been pushed by the west winds. Steep terrain, heavy smoke and accessibility are presenting challenges to crews at the scene of the fire.
The Nohomin Creek Wildfire (K70580) is now estimated at 1,500 hectares. Perimeter growth has been seen on the west side and is moving upwards. The terrain is steep, making direct assault challenging and inaccessible in some areas. pic.twitter.com/zxtcJO2NHZ
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCovFireInfo) July 16, 2022
BC Wildfire Service reports that the fire is increasing on the west side.
Crews are working on the south, east and north ends of the fire to support line construction and structure protection efforts.
Three air tankers and a bird dog were on the scene earlier today but withdrew due to dangerous conditions caused by smoke, steep terrain and high winds.
Helicopters remain in place.
The fire is divided into four and five levels.
This means a “crown fire” with an organized flame front and medium to rapid rate of spread. A tree candle and a short distance drop were observed.
Tree candle occurs when all the leaves on the tree ignite and burn, usually from the bottom up.
Wildfire survival is a phenomenon in wildfires where so-called wildfires are carried by the wind and fall above the main fire area.
Winds of 30-40 kilometers per hour will push the fire west, this time away from communities.
Lytton First Nation is supporting and assisting with the transportation and storage of animals and livestock.
Update: 2:30 pm
The Nohomin Creek wildfire, located 1.7 kilometers northwest of Lytton, had grown to an estimated 1,500 hectares by Friday (July 15) afternoon.
At this point, the out-of-control fire is moving away from Lytton and the Lytton First Nation village. The fire is burning west of the Fraser River.
6 helicopters, three tankers and a Birddog aircraft are on site supporting 80 people on the ground.
“Our crews are experts in fighting fast-burning and aggressive wildfires,” said BC Forestry Minister Catherine Conroy.
In the past two days, 18 active wildfires have burned in BC’s Nohomine Creek, the only wildfire currently burning in the province.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said there were reports of buildings collapsing in the fire, but no injuries. About six buildings were destroyed in the fire.
Reception centers have been set up in Cache Creek and Lillooet to support evacuees affected by the fire. About 40 evacuees were reported in Cache Creek and 70 in Lillooet.
Update: 12:00
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) now has three 21-person unit teams and three first attack teams. They are supported by six, helicopters, three air tankers and a spotter plane. Other operations and support staff are on site, bringing the total number of employees to 80. Premier John Horgan shared his thoughts on the current Lytton fire on Twitter.
“Having a second wildfire a year after the devastation they experienced is unthinkable,” Horgan said.
“Thank you to the staff working to keep people safe.”
A local resident is speaking about his memories of the June 2021 Lytton massacre flooding back.
Tricia Thorpe told The Canadian Press in an interview that the current situation is “terrible.”
I feel for the local firefighters… they are a great, caring group of men and women and for them to experience this at home, they need to be gutted again.
– With Canadian Press files
Update: 11:00
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that the Nohomin Creek Fire near Lytton has grown to 800 hectares due to growth on the west coast, steep terrain.
Heavy smoke, accessibility and terrain are presenting challenges to workers. The fire is showing three or four levels. A grade three fire is a moderately intense floor fire. A Class IV fire is a high-intensity surface fire that burns.
Original:
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) this morning (July 15) moved three 20-person crews to the Nohomine Creek area, two kilometers northwest of the community. They will be supported by helicopters throughout the day. Two initial assault teams remained in place overnight. Crews on the ground said wildfire behavior had subsided overnight and the most active part of the fire was on the steep west side. A disaster command team will be set up in the next few days. RCMP is also in place. The cause of the fire is currently unknown and under investigation. Fire origin and cause specialists are being dispatched to the area.
On the evening of July 14, evacuation orders were issued by Lytton First Nation (LFN) for several reserves:
- Naomi IS 23
- Papyum IRs 27, 27A
- Liton IR 278
- Papyrus tomb 27 c
- Stryen IR 9 (West of Stein River)
Residents of those areas were told to go to a reception center in Liloot. The Thompson Nicolas Regional District Emergency Operations Center (TNRDEOC) has ordered the evacuation of Spencer by polling station “I” (Blue Sky Country), northwest of Liton, west of the Fraser River, north of IR 27 and south of IR 9B. As shown in the attached map. Residents in those areas were told to go to Liloot.
TNRDEOC has issued a release warning for 31 properties on maps north of Liton north of Highway 12, west of the Fraser River and north of the Stein River to the border of the Swedish Liloot Regional District (SLRD).
There are reports of buildings being destroyed by BCWS, TNRDEOC or LFN unconfirmed buildings. On July 14, wildfires were tested by wind and poor access. Around Canada Canada issued a weather forecast for July 15 in the Lithuanian region, forecasting sun and clouds, 30 ° C and winds up to 50 km / h.
There are no impacts to Highway 1 or Highway 12 in the Lytton area, but Lytton Ferry is closed in both directions, according to DriveBC. More information about evacuation orders, alerts and emergency services is available on the TNRDEOC, LFN and EmergencyInfoBC websites.
There are currently 19 active wildfires in BC, most of them in the northwestern part of the province.
@Gary Barnes109
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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