Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park threatened by out of control wildfire near Lytton

A 1,700 hectare wildfire burning to the northeast of Lytton is heading towards a provincial heritage park.

The Nohomin Creek wildfire’s western flank is advancing toward the Stein Valley Nlaka'pamux Heritage Park, according to a press release issued by the Lytton First Nation yesterday, July 17.

“Lytton First Nation and B.C. Parks are working together to identify cultural values, sensitive sites, as well as other recreational and ecological values, and the best methods to protect them. Lytton First Nation and B.C. Parks acknowledge that fire is natural ecological process which is necessary to maintain a healthy forest and a diversity of plant and animal life,” the release reads.

READ MORE: Wildfire near Lytton grows to 1,700 ha

This morning, July 18, the fire’s western flank continues to burn upward towards the park in terrain that is steep and difficult for crews to access, wildfire service fire information officer Taylor Colman said.

She didn’t have an estimate on the distance of the wildfire and how close it is to the park’s boundary but some parts of the fire may have already crossed into the park. Growth on the western slope was reported overnight and an update will be provided later today on the fire’s perimeter.

“The western flank is really hard to take action on just because the terrain is so steep and rocky. It’s really challenging to even get crews up there and it’s also unsafe to put crews in that position,” she said.

Ten helicopters will be fighting the fire today. Warm weather and a drying trend means that forest fuels continue to dry out and contribute to increase fire activity throughout the day.

Today on the fire’s south flank, crews will continue building hose lines and directly attacking the fire’s edge. A water delivery system will be extended as they work their way up the steep slope. The helipads are now complete and have been reopened along the south flank.

A spot fire that was discovered yesterday morning near the start of the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park walking trail will continue to be actioned today, according to the wildfire servicx.

Three unit crews are working on the north flank of the fire today. One unit crew is building a 50-foot wet line from the eastern flank near the Fraser River, up to the B.C. Hydro transmission lines. Another unit crew is establishing a fire guard up a steep mountain ridge on the northern flank. The third unit crew is looking to establish a contingent control line north of the fire.

Evacuation orders and alerts remain in place for the Lytton First Nation and Thompson Nicola Regional District. Roughly 120 people have been evacuated so far due to the fire and six homes have been destroyed.

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