Photo: BCWS
BC Fire Service crews place hose on steep terrain at the Nohomin Creek wildfire.
UPDATE: 10:40 a.m
Fire crews working on the Nohomin Creek wildfire are bracing for “potentially volatile conditions” as warmer, drier conditions are forecast in the coming days.
The large fire burning northwest of Lytton is currently estimated at 2,223 hectares in size, with most of the recent growth on the western flank, away from homes. This growth is occurring in “extremely steep terrain,” which has proven challenging for firefighters.
“As expected, fire activity yesterday afternoon increased significantly in the northern part of the western flank, located north of the Stein River. Planned fires can be used as early as today to remove fuel between the fire and pre-identified natural control lines,” the BC Wildfire Service says in an update Friday morning.
“The warming and drying trend is expected to persist throughout the weekend and into next week. With fewer clouds, sunny weather and temperatures warming more quickly throughout the day, relative humidity will be lower than over the weekend and fuels will continue to dry out. This is expected to contribute to increased fire behavior and fire activity, creating potentially volatile conditions during peak burning hours.”
Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-30s over the weekend, reaching a high of 37 degrees next week.
Containment lines that have been established on the south, east and north flanks of the fire continue to withstand afternoon winds, according to the BCWS.
Homes in Nohomeen IR 13, Papyum IR 27, 27A, Lytton IR 27B, Papyum Graveyard 27C and Stryen IR 9 remain under evacuation orders. These houses are located on the south and east flanks of the great fire.
On Friday, crews will work to continue establishing containment lines south of Stryen Creek while helicopters provide bucket support.
Protecting Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park remains a priority.
“A Lytton First Nation representative who specializes in archaeological sites and cultural values is working with structural protection specialists and BCWS teams to identify cultural values and provide guidance and recommendations on the best options to protect those values” , says the BCWS.
“1,500 feet of sprinklers and hoses have been installed along the Stein Valley hiking trail. The sprinkler system was turned on yesterday for the day to add moisture to the valley floor ahead of the expected snow conditions. hot and dry afternoon. The sprinkler system was tested again this morning. Initial response teams completed the cleanup of the 1.3-acre local fire that was found on the morning of July 17 near from the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park trailhead.
“Proactive” structural protection assessments also continue, in case the warming and drying trend causes growth toward homes.
On Friday, four 20-person crews, seven three-person initial attack teams and 18 Lytton First Nation firefighters are working on the fire, along with structural protection personnel and an incident management team. Four water tenders and 11 helicopters also support ground crews.
The cause of the fire is still unknown and is currently under investigation.
Photo: BCWS
ORIGINAL: 6:10 am
An out-of-control bushfire just under two kilometers north-west of the village of Lytton now covers more than 22 square kilometres.
The BC Wildfire Service says updated aerial tracking estimates the fire has burned 2,223 hectares.
In an overnight update, the wildfire service said as expected, recent warmer and drier weather combined with extremely steep terrain has resulted in a significant increase in activity at the Nohomin Creek fire, particularly in the north of the river Stein.
The service said the lower relative humidity will cause fuels to dry out, creating potentially volatile conditions during peak burning hours.
Crews are expected to begin planned burns to remove fuel between the fire and pre-identified natural control lines.
The fire has destroyed at least six properties and forced more than 100 people from their homes on the west side of the Fraser River, northeast of Vancouver.
The wildfire service said it is working with a representative of the Lytton First Nation to identify areas of cultural value in the area and decide how to protect them.
– The Canadian press