Photo: BCWS
The Nohomin Creek wildfire northwest of Lytton has grown to more than 3,000 acres.
The BC Wildfire Service released a new map Friday detailing the fire’s 3,057-hectare perimeter.
The fire was previously mapped at 2,660 hectares.
Pushed by temperatures of 41 degrees Celsius, the fire shot up the ridge above the Fraser River on Thursday.
“Further growth is expected in high-elevation areas where access is inhibited by steep and rugged terrain. Rocky slopes and scarce fuels have slowed fire growth in certain areas. The fire is not moving at a significant rate and is not extending further west, west. Stein Valley at this time,” BCWS said Friday.
Crews continue to fight the fire from the ground and air. Ninety-four firefighters from the ground crew are now on the scene supported by 11 helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment.
An additional crew of 20 will arrive on site today.
Photo: BCWS
UPDATE 11:45 a.m
Evacuation orders ordered by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District due to the Nohomin Creek wildfire have been downgraded to warnings.
About 24 properties previously ordered are now on alert northwest of Lytton, west of the Fraser River, north of IR27 and south of IR9B along Spencer Road, as is indicated on this map.
Service has also been restored to the Lytton Ferry, with the ferry now open to local traffic only until further notice due to the bushfire.
A separate evacuation alert issued on July 14 for 31 properties remains in effect during this time. Other evacuation alerts and local First Nations orders remain active.
Residents on evacuation alert are advised to stay packed and ready to evacuate at any time.
UPDATE: 9:45 a.m
BC Hydro says its crews have rebuilt and reactivated a section of a power line that was lost in the Nohomin Creek wildfire near Lytton in mid-July.
The fire burned 60 electric poles; damaged power lines, three banks of transformers and two individual transformers, interrupting electrical service to 112 customers.
Hydro crews were able to reconfigure the system and restore power to 39 customers on the day the fire started, and then to an additional 39 customers on July 24.
Hydro personnel from throughout the southern interior worked on the effort.
After receiving clearance from the BC Wildfire Service late last week, Hydro crews removed hazardous trees and began construction last Saturday.
Helicopter support was required to bring the power poles to the site, and service has now been restored to all customers except where structures were lost or significantly damaged.
ORIGINAL: 6:25 a.m
More growth is expected from the Nohomin Creek wildfire northwest of Lytton today as scorching temperatures persist.
The fire is now estimated to have burned 2,660 hectares as increased fire activity produced highly visible smoke in the surrounding area on Thursday.
Similar hot and dry conditions are expected today, with fire activity likely to pick up again by midday, the BC Wildfire Service says.
“More growth is expected in high elevation areas where access is inhibited by steep and rugged terrain,” the service said in an update late Thursday.
However, rocky slopes and scarce fuels have slowed fire growth in certain areas.
“The fire is not moving at a significant rate and is not spreading westward into the Stein Valley at this time,” the wildfire service said.
Temperatures on Thursday reached 41 C. Combined with low humidity and light to moderate winds, the fire reached the top of the ridge above the Fraser River in the Stein Valley.
Crews are working in the area to establish wet lines and no fuel zones
On the north flank of the fire, crews continue to make progress establishing containment lines.
“The north flank is stable and there is minimal growth east of the Stein Valley,” BCWS says.
On the southern flank, they continue to establish containment lines.
A total of 106 firefighters are battling the fire, supported by 10 helicopters and three heavy equipment.