Wildfire near Lytton explodes in size to 400 hectares

Aug 31, 2016 | 1:43 PM

LYTTON – BC Wildfire Service is currently responding to a fire near South Spencer Road, approximately 2 kilometres south of Lytton. There are 56 firefighters and three pieces of heavy equipment battling the fire by ground, as well as three helicopters assisting with bucket support. 16 firefighters will continue to work on this fire overnight.

The South Spencer Road fire is estimated at 400 hectares in size as of 10:30pm, Wednesday, August 31 and it continues to show aggressive fire behaviour. Weather conditions continue to challenge suppression efforts with south-westerly wind speeds up to 50 km/h in the valley. Wind not only increases fire behaviour, but can also restrict air support from being able to operate safely. This evening, the fire is receiving some precipitation; however it takes significant rainfall to put out a wildfire.

Crews are focused on establishing containment around the fire. At this time it is confirmed that one outbuilding has been lost. The South Spencer Road fire is currently burning upslope and away from structures. 

This fire is burning less than a kilometre away from Highway 1 so the BC Wildfire Service would like to remind all public driving within the area of fire operations to please use caution.

~ Information provided by www.bcwildfire.ca

Evacuation order issued

An Evacuation Order has been issued by Chair John Ranta from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District at the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) in Kamloops.

All properties on the east side of South Spencer Road from 3800 South Spencer Road north to the boundary of the Papyum 27 Indian Reserve, as defined on the above map.

If you are in the described area, you must leave immediately and report to the Emergency Social Services (ESS) Reception Centre at the Lytton Parish Hall, located at 140 7th Street in Lytton.

It is also suggested that evacuees turn off the power and propane to their residences.

~ Information provided by www.tnrd.ca