Since initially sparking on June 30, a harrowing day which saw the Village of Lytton flattened by the intense and quick spreading blaze, the officially dubbed Lytton Creek Fire has now travelled nearly 30km and is threatening the communities of Spences Bridge and Shackan.
Both Spences Bridge and the reserve community of Shackan are under evacuation order, but the most recent reports from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) and residents who remain in the area have indicated that no structures have been lost to the fire.
Christine Minnabarriet, Chief of the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band in Spences Bridge, continues to post updates to social media, reporting that structure protection crews are on hand and installing sprinkler systems connected to the community water system, as well as performing planned ignitions in a process known as back burning.
Winds play perhaps the most critical role in determining which direction the fire moves and how aggressively it burns. Winds in the Nicola Valley are predominantly from the south-southwest, which has pushed the fire north-northeast in the direction of Hwy 97C and Logan Lake. A shift in wind patterns has caused the fire to creep southward periodically, but according to an information bulletin released by Shackan Indian Band, there are fire crews and heavy lift helicopters on site, as well as 24 hour a day monitoring of homes at Shackan, which have all been outfitted with structure protection sprinkler systems.
To aid in the firefighting efforts, including air support, Hwy. 8 has been closed west of Merritt at Dot Ranch Cut-Off Rd.
Plans to create a fire guard using the already partially cleared Kwoiek Creek hydro transmission line which runs through the area are moving ahead.
According to BCWS the Lytton Creek fire is now at an estimated 32,957 hectares and classified as out of control.
“On the northeast flank, crews have made good progress in actioning a 50-hectare spot fire that crossed Highway 8 and the Nicola River on July 23, and have established a hose lay around the perimeter,” reads a BCWS website update from July 25 at 5:58 p.m.
“Helicopters and ground personnel will continue work in this area today. Heavy equipment is working to establish a contingency guard to the northeast of the spot fire. Hand ignitions have been successful in controlling fire spread on the west side of the Nicola River.”
There are 50 firefighters, 3 helicopters, and 11 pieces of heavy equipment fighting the Lytton Creek fire, as well as 30 BCWS Structure Protection Personnel monitoring the situation throughout the night.
