Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service / East of Skuppah wildfire

By Dave Barry

Wildfire

No sign of relief in the weather forecast for B.C. Wildfire Service crews near Lytton

Jun 18, 2021 | 6:16 AM

KAMLOOPS – A hot and dry weekend weather forecast is adding to concern for a wildfire burning approximately seven kilometres south of Lytton.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the East of Skuppah wildfire is burning out of control. It’s grown to 80 hectares as of Thursday evening and is located in steep terrain. It says the terrain is making it difficult for crews to battle the flames.

The fire is visible to anyone travelling along Highway 1 through the area. And the smoke it’s producing has prompted B.C. health officials to issue a Smoky Skies Bulletin. Smoke is expected to sweep in and out of Kamloops area airsheds over the course of the weekend.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an Evacuation Alert for 10 residences while the Lytton First Nation issued an Evacuation Alert for IR 20, Kitzowit Thursday.

The Wildfire Service says 55 firefighters, five helicopters and two pieces of heavy equipment are battling the fire. It says the northern flank of the fire is being attacked by helicopter water buckets while ground crews are working the western, eastern and southern flanks.

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Shifting winds are creating additional challenges for fire crews. Environment Canada expects the Lytton area to experience wind gusts of up to 50 km/h over the next two days. Lytton is predicted to reach high temperatures of 29 degrees today (June 18), 25 degrees Saturday and 31 degrees Sunday. And the forecast is calling high temperatures to remain in the low to mid 30 degree range next week.