The Izman Creek fire pictured from the air on July 2, 2025. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)

By Victor Kaisar

Izman Creek Fire

Izman Creek fire classified as wildfire of note; blaze was accidentally sparked by RCMP vehicle

Jul 3, 2025 | 10:39 AM

KAMLOOPS — (UPDATE 4:45 p.m.): BC RCMP say the Izman Creek fire near Lytton – which is now classified as a wildfire of note – was accidentally sparked by after a police boat trailer malfunctioned on Canada Day.

The 155 hectare blaze is the first wildfire of note in the Kamloops Fire Centre this summer, a classification used by the BC Wildfire Service to denote a fire that is “especially visible or poses a threat to public safety.”

BC RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark said it appears the right-side wheel of a police trailer was “ejected” shortly before it sparked the fire around 2:20 p.m. Tuesday (July 1) afternoon.

“The officer driving the vehicle stopped immediately to engage the fire with their extinguisher. However, the flames quickly went out of control and they weren’t able to contain it,” Clark told CFJC Today.

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“This appears to be an equipment failure. We’re still looking to determine what exactly went wrong but yeah, obviously it was completely unintentional and unfortunate.”

Clark said the trailer was carrying a boat and other equipment belonging to the RCMP’s underwater recovery team. They were involved in the search for a swimmer in Seton Lake about 100 kilometres northwest of Lytton, when the wheel came off.

“This is a tremendously unfortunate set of circumstances that demonstrates the need for extreme caution and fire awareness during our long wildfire season,” Clark added.

The BC Wildfire Service said the increased size of the fire comes after crews were able to get a more accurate picture of the situation. It is also continuing to action the fire with ground and aerial resources.

“There are currently three unit crews, two structure protection crews, and one initial attack crew, as well as a handful of single resources and two helicopters on site,” a Thursday afternoon statement from the BC Wildfire Service said.

“This afternoon, the wildfire was displaying rank 2 fire behaviour meaning a visible surface fire with a slow rate of spread.”

An Initial Attack crew was on scene overnight Wednesday for structure protection and patrol work.

At last update, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) had evacuation orders and alerts in place. Three properties in Electoral Area “I” were ordered out on Tuesday (July 1), while nine other properties were put on alert.

The Lytton First Nation also issued an evacuation alert for the Spintlum Flats 3, Lytton 3A and Lytton 32 reserves Tuesday evening.

The human-caused fire has also forced the closure of Highway 12 between Lytton and Lillooet to all non-local traffic. Those travellers have to detour through Cache Creek via Highways 1, 97, and 99.

Environment Canada has issued a special air quality statement for the Fraser Canyon noting communities in the area are either being impacted or are likely to be impacted by wildfire smoke in the next 24 to 48 hours.

“During a wildfire, smoke conditions can change quickly over short distances and can vary considerably hour-by-hour,” the alert said. “As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.”

The latest on the special air quality statement can be found here.

– With files from Dylana Kneeshaw/CFJC Today