Liton, B.C. – A wildfire west of Liton, B.C., has now burned five square kilometers of trees and shrubs, doubling in less than 12 hours.
BC Wildfire Service spokesman Taylor Coleman said the uncontrolled blaze was raging and strong winds were blowing two miles northwest of Lithuania.
A number of evacuation orders and warnings have been issued for property across the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Litton First Nation west of the Fraser River.
The regional district is still working to confirm that three buildings were destroyed within hours of the fire.
Coleman said the fire broke out on Thursday afternoon and it was difficult to reach him because there were few roads in the area and the small boat crossing the Litter Fraser River was lost due to high water levels.
She says 3 of the 20 crew members are now on fire and will be supported by helicopters throughout the day as the fire continues to move north from Liton.
Trisia Torpe, who lives in the area, said she was reminded of last year’s devastating wildfire.
“It’s horrible. I feel for the local firefighters, ”she told the Canadian Press.
“They are a great, caring group of men and women and in order to practice this at home, they have to stir again.
Torp called her heart “Westerners,” meaning those who live on the western side of the Fraser River across the Lithuania.
“They were the ones who welcomed us into their community last year when we lost everything in the Litton wildfire,” she said.
The IDPs were told to move north to Liloot, where the reception center was set up.
This Canadian Press report was first published on July 15, 2022.
– With Hina Alam files
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