A small but spreading wildfire has caused an evacuation alert just outside the village of Lytton.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has declared a local state of emergency for the Blue Sky Country region and an evacuation order for two properties on Spencer Road South.
Firefighter crews are on site as the wildfire, now just over five hectares, continues to grow near the village.
According to the BC Wildfire Service, the fire was discovered late Monday night and has since more than doubled in size.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!BC Wildfire Service says it is out of control and has spread across the Fraser River from Lytton.
The BC Wildfire Service believes it was human caused.
“Currently, we have two initial attack crews on site, as well as a rapid attack crew, along with their helicopter, which will be available for bucketing,” said Cali Nessman, the Fire Information Officer with the BC Wildfire Service.
She is warning it could spread beyond its current perimeter quickly — especially if the weather doesn’t cooperate.
“Today, throughout the Kamloops fire centre, we are expecting above normal temperatures with low relative humidities, so it’s going to be hot and dry,” explained Nessman.
All of this is a reminder of the devastating fire in 2021, which followed a record-breaking heat dome and temperatures just below 50 °C.
The fire four years ago left two dead and forced hundreds to escape.
As residents watch this current fire carefully, rebuilding efforts since 2021 are still underway.
— With files from Canadian Press and Sonia Aslam.