Image credit: TNRD

By Aaron Schulze

Kookipi Creek Wildfire

Village of Lytton on evacuation alert, TNRD expands evacuation order due to Kookipi Creek wildfire

Aug 18, 2023 | 5:24 AM

LYTTON, B.C. — The Village of Lytton is on evacuation alert.

In a news release late Thursday (Aug. 17) evening, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation alert for 216 properties within the Village of Lytton due to the Kookipi Creek wildfire. The impacted properties are outlined in orange in the attached map.

Image credit: TNRD

Additionally, shortly before midnight, the TNRD expanded its evacuation order near Kanaka Bar. Due to the Kookipi Creek wildfire, 42 properties within Electoral Area I (Blue Sky Country) are now on evacuation order while 34 are on evacuation alert. Properties on evacuation order are outlined in red and those on evacuation alert are outlined in orange in the attached maps.

Image credit: TNRD

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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.

TNRD residents can track evacuation updates here.

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

According to the BC Wildfire Service’s online dashboard, the Kookipi Creek wildfire – burning out of control near Nahatlatch Provincial Park northwest of Boston Bar – ballooned in size to 2,000 hectares early Friday morning. It’s suspected to be caused by lightning.

DriveBC says Highway 1 between Hope and Lytton remains closed in both directions due to the wildfire. Another update isn’t due until 9 a.m. Friday.

The BC Wildfire Service says the Kookipi Creek wildfire crossed the Fraser River Thursday night.

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