Activity increases, growth slows on wildfire south of Lillooet

LILLOOET, B.C. — While fire activity continues to increase on a wildfire nearly 10 kilometres south of Lillooet, growth has slowed. 

In an update Sunday (Aug. 9) afternoon, the BC Wildfire Service says the Riley Creek wildfire is measured at around 2,360 hectares in size. The increased size is a result of improved visibility and more accurate mapping.  According to the wildfire service, the Riley Creek fire is burning in steep, rocky and unstable terrain, and conditions are challenging and unsafe for ground crews to directly attack and suppress all areas of the fire. However, the service says crews do direct attack where it is safe to do so. 

The update comes as the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) expanded its evacuation order to include one property on Texas Creek Road. The Riley Creek wildfire has triggered evacuation orders and alerts for the SLRD and T’it’q’et First Nation, along with evacuation alerts for the District of Lillooet, Lytton First Nation, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and Cayoose Creek Indian Band.

(Image Credit: Squamish-Lillooet Regional District)