(Lytton) The British Columbia Forest Fire Service warns that hot, dry weather expected this week could further fuel the wildfire located west of the village of Lytton as firefighters continue to battle fires flames out of control.
Posted yesterday at 11:41 p.m.
Environment Canada’s forecast for the area at the north end of the Fraser Canyon calls for clear skies and temperatures in excess of 30 degrees Celsius beginning Tuesday.
In addition, the forest fire department points out that low humidity will dry out the wood that feeds the blaze, which has increased from 17 to 20 square kilometers since the most recent aerial mapping.
If the southern, eastern and northern flanks seem to be inactive, the western flank continues to gain strength and the terrain in this sector is particularly steep and “inoperable” for firefighters.
So far, the blaze has ravaged at least six properties and forced the evacuation of more than 100 people west of the Fraser River, northeast of Vancouver.
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said at a news conference on Monday that the western flank of the fire was heading towards Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park, where an isolated focus of fire was discovered near the access to a trail over the weekend.
The Forest Fire Service says it is working with Lytton First Nation to identify areas of special cultural value and to determine an appropriate strategy to protect them.
More than 100 people were mobilized to fight the fire, supported by four tank trucks, ten helicopters, as well as other support teams.
The Village of Lytton is just recovering from a massive fire that razed much of the community’s infrastructure a year ago.