2 spreading wildfires near Lytton prompt local state of emergency, force evacuation orders

The area around Lytton is under a local state of emergency because of two spreading wildfires, almost exactly four years after much of the village was destroyed by flames.

Two are right across the Fraser River from Lytton, threatened by a smaller, out-of-control fire that has also put a number of properties on alert.

The BC Wildfire Service and Lytton First Nation fire crews have been trying to contain the flames and are said to have made good progress overnight.

But a larger fire to the north of the community has now shut down Highway 12 and forced the evacuation of three properties considered to be in imminent danger.

The Izman Creek fire covers 25 hectares and is also out of control, helping prompt the local state of emergency issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

The weather — hot, dry, often windy — is also driving a 35-hectare fire near Chase, with more evacuation alerts added to evacuation orders issued late Monday.

There are more than 70 wildfires across British Columbia as of Wednesday morning.

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