Highway 1 at Kahmoose Roadd in Boothroyd, 12 kilometres north of Boston Bar, looking north at 8 p.m. Thursday (Image credit: DriveBC).

By Aaron Schulze

Highway 1

Highway 1 closed south of Lytton due to wildfire near Boston Bar

Aug 17, 2023 | 7:49 PM

UPDATE (9:30 p.m.): DriveBC says Highway 1 between Hope and Lytton will remain closed until at least 9 a.m. Friday (Aug. 18).

Additionally, the TNRD issued an evacuation order for nearly 29 properties and an evacuation alert for 10 properties in Electoral Area I (Blue Sky Country) due to the Kookipi Creek wildfire.

Properties outlined in red in the attached map are on evacuation order while properties outlined in orange are on evacuation alert. The areas surround Kanaka Bar.

Image credit: TNRD

Anyone in the red area must leave immediately. Residents who need to evacuate can register for emergency support services (ESS) online and report to the reception centre at 1655 Island Parkway in Kamloops, although the TNRD asks residents to make arrangements to stay with family or friends if possible.

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TNRD residents can track evacuation updates here.

Guidelines on what to do in an evacuation is available online.

UPDATE (9 p.m.): The Kookipi Creek wildfire has crossed the Fraser River.

In a social media post, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) says the BC Wildfire Service confirmed the wildfire burning northwest of Boston Bar crossed the Fraser River at around 8:30 p.m.

Highway 1 between Lytton and Spuzzum remains closed and residents are discouraged to travel to the area.

The TNRD says tactical evacuations are ongoing, and formal evacuation orders are imminent.

EARLIER: KAMLOOPS — Residents in Kamloops and area wanting to drive to the lower mainland will need to temporarily avoid Highway 1.

In a social media post at around 7 p.m. Thursday (Aug. 17), DriveBC says the stretch of Highway 1 between Lytton and Spuzzum is closed in both directions due to wildfire. There is no estimated time of reopening, but another update is due at 9 p.m.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the nearby Kookipi Creek wildfire near Nahatlatch Provincial Park northwest of Boston Bar is burning out of control and is estimated at 485 hectares in size.

Travellers still have access through the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Kamloops, although they’re warned of challenging storm conditions Thursday and Friday. Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton and Highway 99 between Lillooet and Pemberton are also available.

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it becomes available.