The Izman Creek Fire as seen on July 2, 2025. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)
Izman Creek Fire

UPDATE: Incident Management Team assigned to Izman Creek wildfire near Lytton

Jul 5, 2025 | 10:22 AM

LYTTON, B.C. — (UPDATE 2:45 p.m.): The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has deployed an Incident Management Team as it continues to work on the Izman Creek fire, north of the Village of Lytton.

In an update Saturday (July 5) afternoon, it said the fire is now estimated to be 185.3 hectares in size – up from 155 hectares – due to more accurate mapping of the fire perimeter as well as some growth on the east flank up the hill.

“Not all areas within the perimeter are actively burning or have burned,” the BCWS said. “Pockets of smoke are present within the fire perimeter, displaying Rank 1 and Rank 2 fire behavior. Increased fire activity remains on the east flank, moving upslope in the easterly direction.”

Evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and the Lytton First Nation remain in place, as crews work on containing the fire which was accidentally sparked by an RCMP vehicle on Canada Day (July 1).

The BC Wildfire Service said it has numerous ground personnel on scene including three Unit Crews and an Initial Attack crew, as well as heavy equipment and structure protection units. They’re being assisted by four helicopters.

A unit crew is working to mop-up a slop over on the Laluwissin FSR, while another is unit crew is continuing to build handline to a scree slope – a natural geological feature made up of loose rock fragments and debris.

“Crews will work to establish a water delivery system to engage in direct attack operations,” BCWS said.

On the south flank, a unit crew is engaged in direct attack on the fire above Highway 12 – which is open with a single lane of alternating traffic for local vehicles only. BCWS also said crews are patrolling the highway corridor to put out any hot spots, including in the overnight hours.

“Today, July 5, winds will increase through the afternoon with mid- to high-level cloud cover developing across the fire zone,” BCWS added its Saturday morning update. “Conditions will remain dry.”

“Overnight into Sunday morning, some pockets of instability may move through the fire area, but any showers are expected to stay north of the area. On Sunday, an upper ridge begins to rebuild, bringing the start of a warming and drying trend. Temperatures will begin rising, and relative humidity will start to lower.”

In the Village of Lytton, Environment Canada is calling for a high of 26 C Saturday, 30 C on Sunday, and 34 C on Monday. It is also calling for showers and 23 C on Wednesday next week.

Environment Canada forecast for Lytton as of July 5, 2025 morning. (Image Credit: Environment Canada)

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