Some evacuation orders lifted near Lytton as cooler weather aids crews battling Saw Creek wildfire

About four dozen evacuation orders have been lifted in the Lytton area as cooler overnight temperatures and lighter winds has helped limit the growth of the Saw Creek wildfire, which sparked on Friday (June 19) last week.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and the Village of Lytton have downgraded evacuation orders for 47 properties on Loring Way and Ponderosa Heights, which are now on evacuation alert as the 704-hectare wildfire still rages on.

An amended evacuation alert is in place for approximately 212 properties in Lytton and two properties in TNRD Electoral Area “I” (Blue Sky Country). Evacuation alerts are also in effect for IR 2A and 2B of the Skuppah Indian Band and Zacht 5, Siska Flat 5A and Siska Flat 5B of the Siska Indian Band.

The Lytton First Nation has also downgraded an evacuation order for Klahkamich IR 17, which is also currently on evacuation alert. The Lytton First Nation is also maintaining evacuation alerts for IR 18 Klickkumcheen as well as areas north of Klahkamich 17.

“Crews and structure protection personnel prioritized the protection and defense of structure in the fire area,” the BC Wildfire Service said in a statement. “Fire crews and aircraft continue to focus efforts on securing the perimeter of the communities near this incident.”

“Crews are working along the north and south flanks of the fire to suppress active fire spread where it is safe to do so and establish control lines.”

Evacuation orders are still in effect for three properties in the Village of Lytton, 12 in Electoral Area “I” and Lytton First Nation properties on Kitzowitz IR 20.

The BC Wildfire Service says the suspected human-caused fire is still burning rank 1 to 3, meaning anything from a smouldering ground fire to a moderately vigorous surface fire.

“Today, June 21, temperatures are expected to be between the mid twenties to low thirties and relative humidity will trend lower, meaning there is the potential for fire activity to increase throughout the day,” the BC Wildfire Service added. “Light northeast winds are expected today.”

The Trans-Canada Highway is still closed in both directions between Boston Bar and Ashcroft, with drivers told to use the Coquihalla and Highway 97C as detours. There is still no estimated time of reopening, but updates can be found here.