A large fire, sparked by lightning, has forced some residents in Kamloops from their homes. It comes after a majority of Lytton was destroyed by flames. (submitted photo/Ali Giddens)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

WILDFIRES

Dozens of fires sparked after evening lightning storm through Interior, Lytton all-but-destroyed

Jul 2, 2021 | 10:01 AM

KAMLOOPS — Local Fire Rescue crews had a busy night battling a large fire, which appeared to ignite from an evening lightning storm

The fire started in a wooded area east of the city. At one point RCMP members were going door to door to evacuate some homes under threat. Two separate evacuation orders were issued.

It was not the only fire in the Kamloops area Thursday night. A fire broke out at Strawberry Hill, site of a major blaze back in 2003. There were other reports of small fires throughout the area with some areas still under evacuation alert and order.

Meanwhile, the search continues for multiple residents of a village in the Interior, decimated by a wildfire this week.

Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth hasn’t said how many people from the Lytton area are unaccounted for. Crews have had a difficult time keeping tabs on where everyone ended up given the urgent nature of an evacuation on Wednesday, June 30.

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Officials say it’s unclear whether anyone remains in the village due to a lack of cell service.

RCMP are due to begin searching for missing or injured people on the ground when it becomes safe to do so. Details about the situation are scarse, however aerial photos show numerous buildings and vehicles were destroyed.

Roughly 1,000 people who managed to flee to safety when the emergency evacuation order was issued will find very little left when they return.

The Lytton Creek wildfire was still listed as out of control on Friday morning and was about 64 square kilometres in size.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says there are now at least 106 fires burning across the province, including dozens that started within just the past two days.

Three are active on Vancouver Island including two small brush fires near Port Alice and one listed as under control north of Port Alberni.

— with files from CFJC Today and The Canadian Press

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