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Wildfire near Lytton increased sixfold overnight
Posted June 20, 2026 11:18 am.
Last Updated June 20, 2026 4:08 pm.
The Saw Creek wildfire has increased to 600 hectares from Friday night to Saturday, according to the BC Wildfire Service, and crews are expecting it to keep growing.
The blaze, which broke out yesterday evening, has triggered evacuation orders issued by the Village of Lytton and the Thompson–Nicola Regional District.
CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO 1130 NEWSRADIO VANCOUVER LIVE!The evacuation order is in effect for a portion of the Village of Lytton and properties near Highway 1, including the areas from Florence Road north to the Lytton Airport, Kitzowitz, Ponderosa and Loring Way.
“People in this area are at risk and should leave the area immediately,” the BC Wildfire Service said on its website.
Authorities say that evacuees can go to the Battlefield Community Hall located at 1756 Battlefield Road.
Authorities are expecting the fire to increase due to weather conditions.
“An unorganized flame front where there’s direct sunlight on certain areas and wind and slope align, we might see that fire behaviour start to increase throughout the day,” said fire information officer Shae Stearns at the Kamloops Fire Centre.
The fire is considered out of control and believed to be human-caused.
As a result of the blaze, 19 customers have lost power, BC Hydro said in a written statement to 1130 NewsRadio.
Crews have located the source of the power outage; however, repairs can only start once the wildfire is under control and BC Wildfire Service has given the go-ahead.
Currently, 130 firefighters are battling the fire along its northwest and south flanks, supported by nine helicopters.
Stearns explains that the Lytton Fire and Rescue Fire Department and other units have also been involved in the response, prioritizing the protection and defence of structures in the affected area overnight.
“Our structure protection personnel and equipment are also involved in the response. And what this means is we do establish connections with fire departments across the province so they can be called upon to come and assist in incidents where we do need structure protection and defence support,” she told 1130 NewsRadio.
“Fire crews and aircraft continued to focus efforts on securing the perimeter of the communities near this incident. The fire is currently burning Rank 2, meaning a surface fire with visible open flame and an unorganized flame front.”
Additionally, the Village of Lytton issued a notice to boil water as a precautionary measure due to the wildfire.
“This notice affects all users; however, people with weakened or undeveloped immune systems are most at risk,” the village said.
Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, and food preparation.
Highway 1 is closed between Boston Bar and Ashcroft in all directions; Drive BC recommends using Highway 5 or Highway 97 as alternative routes.
