BCWS expands response to Saw Creek Wildfire

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) has sent more firefighters to combat the out-of-control Saw Creek Wildfire near Lytton.

As of Saturday morning, the fire is estimated to have grown to 600 hectares since it was first discovered on Friday (June 19).

The BCWS has 130 firefighting personnel, nine helicopters and structural protection crews assigned to the fire, working alongside Lytton Fire and Rescue.

“Overnight, crews and structure protection personnel prioritized the protection and defense of structures in the fire area. Fire crews and aircraft continued to focus efforts on securing the perimeter of the communities near this incident,” said BCWS.

“Crews are working along the northwest and south flanks of the fire to establish control lines while helicopters assist with bucketing operations to decrease fire behaviour.”

BCWS officials said hot and dry conditions have made fuels highly susceptible to burning, despite cooler temperatures on Saturday (June 20).

A 117-kilometre stretch of Highway 1 between Cache Creek and Boston Bar remains closed. Drive BC said drivers can take Highways 5 and 97C as alternative routes.

Evacuation alerts and orders have been placed in the area in response to the blaze.

(Image Credit: Facebook / Randy James)

The TNRD has declared a state of local emergency in Lytton and Blue Sky County due to the Saw Creek Wildfire.

The TNRD said the declaration enables prompt coordination of action or special regulations of persons or property to protect the health, safety, or welfare of people or to limit damage to property.

As of 11 p.m. on Friday (June 19), the TNRD’s evacuation order has expanded to 47 properties in the Village of Lytton.

“Declaring a State of Local Emergency enables local authorities to exercise the emergency powers listed in the Emergency and Disaster Management Act,” said the TNRD.

“The emergency powers are used to order of evacuation of residents from their homes, prohibit travel, and/ or enter private property when an emergency threatens lives, property, or the environment within the TNRD’s jurisdiction.”

The Village of Lytton has also placed the entire community, IR17 and IR18 in a boil water notice due to the wildfire.

(Image Credit: Facebook / Shirley Karhu Mackay)

The notice applies to all users of the water system, but those with weakened or undeveloped immune systems are most at risk.

“This includes elderly people, pregnant women and their unborn, children under the age of 2, people with AIDS, cancer, diabetes or kidney disease and people being treated with immune-suppressing medications,” said Village officials.

“As a precautionary measure, water users are advised to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, food preparation, etc.”