Image Credit: Facebook / B.C. Wildfire Service
Wildfire

TNRD issues evacuation order as Nohomin Creek fire near Lytton grows

Jul 14, 2022 | 6:50 PM

LYTTON, B.C. — UPDATE (5:50 a.m.): According to the BCWS dashboard online, the Nohomin Creek wildfire has grown to 500 hectares in size as of Friday (July 15) morning.

Additionally, the TNRD issued a late evacuation alert for 31 properties in the Blue Sky Country electoral area.

All TNRD properties north of Lytton along Highway 12, as well as all properties on the west side of the Fraser River and north of Stein River to the Squamish Lillooet Regional District border, are on evacuation alert.

(Image credit: Thompson-Nicola Regional District).

Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an evacuation order, but may receive limited notice due to changing conditions. Guidelines on what to do in an evacuation is available online.

BCWS says ground crews remained on site overnight and an additional 40 personnel will be on site Friday morning.

UPDATE (8:15 p.m.): In an update to its website Thursday evening (July 14), the B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire is now estimated at 200 hectares. The update was made at about 7:30 p.m.

BCWS says the fire is exhibiting Rank 3 and Rank 4 behaviour, described as vigorous and aggressive spread.

Responding firefighters are having difficulty with accessibility and rough terrain, as well as heavy smoke.

EARLIER: The first wildfire evacuation order of the season in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has been issued near Lytton.

Wildfire broke out on Lytton First Nation’s reserve just northwest of Lytton during the noon hour Thursday (July 14).

In a late-afternoon news conference, the B.C. Wildfire Service said the fire had grown to about 25 hectares with at least three structures believed to be lost. At about 5:20 p.m., BCWS updated the size to 75 hectares.

The Lytton First Nation has evacuated Stryen IR 9, Lytton IR 9A, Nohomeen IR 23, Papyum IRs 27 & 27A, Lytton IR 27B, Papyum Graveyard 27C and Stryen IR 9 (West of Stein River).

Thursday evening, the TNRD issued an evacuation order for 24 properties northwest of Lytton, indicated on the map below.

Image Credit: TNRD

Residents of these properties are ordered to leave immediately due to the threat presented by the wildfire. Fleeing residents are advised to take Spencer Road north to Lillooet.

The TNRD says emergency social services will be provided if the properties under evacuation order include your primary residence.

For more information, contact the TNRD at 1 (866) 377-7188.