A massive fire is now out of control in British Columbia just west of Lytton, the same community nearly wiped out by fire last year. Meanwhile, residents of Mathias Colomb First Nation in Manitoba had to be evacuated due to a nearby fire.
Posted at 4:57 p.m.
The flames drove about 65 residents from the isolated northern Manitoba community, also called Pukatawagan. They were evacuated by plane or helicopter, according to Jason Small of the Canadian Red Cross.
The province said Friday that the wildfire, about two kilometers east of the community, covers about 10,000 hectares. The Manitoba Wildfire Service says at that time there were 39 active fires in the province.
The province warns that wildfire risk is high across Manitoba and high to extreme in the Northwest.
The fire near Lytton has meanwhile spread over 8 km2 in less than 24 hours.
PHOTO DAISY MEISSNER, THE CANADIAN PRESS
B.C. Forest Fire Department spokeswoman Taylor Colman said Friday the fire was still active and being fueled by high winds.
Authorities said the flames were about 1.7 kilometers northwest of Lytton, on the west side of the Fraser River.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued evacuation orders for dozens of properties, while Lytton First Nation did the same for some territories, while others were placed on evacuation alert.
There were reports that three buildings were destroyed in the first hours after the fire broke out. Local authorities were still trying to get confirmation.
The forest fire was first reported in the early afternoon of Thursday, Ms.me Colman.
Even though it currently mainly affects trees and vegetation, it still represents a challenge, as some roads must be closed. In addition, the small ferry that usually travels on the Fraser River is not in service due to high water levels.
Premier John Horgan offered his thoughts to people in the affected area in a social media post.
“I can’t believe these people are facing a second fire after the devastating fire they faced last year,” he wrote on Twitter.
The British Columbia Forest Fire Service announced that in addition to the three crews already on site, it is now calling in a new crew of 21 people to help fight the blaze.
The service says 15 structure protection specialists and several helicopters were also called in to help contain the fire.
A bad memory
Tricia Thorpe lives in the area. She admitted that this incident brings back very bad memories.
“It’s awful. I think especially of the local firefighters, ”she mentioned in an interview with The Canadian Press.
“They are brilliant and dedicated, but having to respond to another major fire must be very exhausting. »
On June 30, 2021, a catastrophic wildfire ripped through Lytton, killing two people and destroying most of the township.
Mme Thorpe also has a thought for the people who live on the west side of the Fraser River.
“They were the ones who took us in last year when we Lytton people lost everything to the fire. »
The evacuees were directed to Lillooet, a town further north, where an emergency center was set up.
Officials said the cause of the fire is currently unknown, but is being investigated.
Provincial Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said Friday that neither the village of Lytton nor any other community is currently in the path of the fire and no injuries have been reported.