Lytton, B.C., wildfire growing dangerously, triggering evacuations, closing highways

LYTTON — An out-of-control wildfire south of the village of Lytton, B.C., is triggering evacuation orders and alerts, and closing a major route through the region.

Updates from emergency officials with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District say an evacuation order is now in effect for 47 addressed properties in the Village of Lytton, with 168 other addresses also under evacuation alerts.

The flames of the Saw Creek wildfire have also forced the closure of Highway 1 for 116 kilometres, between Boston Bar and Cache Creek.

The BC Wildfire Service says the fire, likely human-caused, has already grown to roughly 2 square kilometres and will likely continue to spread because of hot, dry conditions.