Lytton fire soars to 1,500 hectares

UPDATE (7:55 p.m. Friday) — The evacuation order remains in effect for residents in the area of the Botanie Creek wildfire, says the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

An Emergency Support Services centre (ESS) at the Parish hall in Lytton has been established to provide assistance to residents who have been ordered to evacuate from their properties.

The Parish hall is located at 140-7th St. in Lytton. The ESS centre will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 and Sunday, July 20.

NEWS/ WILDFIRES — Here’s an update of wildfires of note in the Kamloops Fire Centre up to 5 p.m. Friday as assembled by A.M. News from Wildfire Management Branch reports.

Botanie Road (Lytton) — This fire near Lytton has soared to 1,500 hectares, three times what is was since residents in the area were evacuated overnight. The Wildfire Management Branch said the fire acted very agressively this afternoon (Friday) due to steep terrain and high winds.

One hundred homes are threatened.

A public meeting is being held at 5 p.m. in the Parish Hall at 140 Parish Road in Lytton to provide information about the wildfire. Various agencies involved in the fire are in attendance to provide information and answer questions.

Twenty-nine firefighters, six helicopters and heavy equipment were continuing to battle the fire but there was too much smoke for airtankers to drop retardant.

Smith Creek (West Kelowna) — Now at 400 hectares, this fire is 20 per contained but 2,500 people remain evacuated. It continues to be agressive.

Seventy-five firefighters, two helicopters, and seven airtankers are on the fire. Local fire departments are assisting Wildfire Management Branch crews.

Apex Mountain (Okanagan-Similkameen) — Fifty per cent contained, 313 hectares. “Crews have made good progress in containing the south end of the fire closest to homes.

There have been no updates from the wildfire branch since late Thursday night.

Maka-Murray (Coquihalla) — Still at an estimated 450 hectares, evacuation order remains in effect.