The Saw Creek wildfire has increased to 600 hectares from Friday night to Saturday, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The blaze, which broke out yesterday evening, has triggered evacuation orders issued by the Village of Lytton and the Thompson–Nicola Regional District.
The evacuation order is in effect for a portion of the Village of Lytton and properties near Highway 1, including the areas from Florence Road north to the Lytton Airport, Kitzowitz, Ponderosa and Loring Way.
“People in this area are at risk and should leave the area immediately,” the BC Wildfire Service said on its website.
Authorities say that evacuees can go to the Battlefield Community Hall located at 1756 Battlefield Road.
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The fire is considered out of control and believed to be human-caused.
“Overnight, crews and structure protection personnel prioritized the protection and defence of structures in the fire area,” BC Wildfire Service added.
“Fire crews and aircraft continued to focus efforts on securing the perimeter of the communities near this incident. The fire is currently burning Rank 2, meaning a surface fire with visible open flame and an unorganized flame front.”
Currently, 130 crews are battling the fire along its northwest and south flanks, supported by nine helicopters.
⛔️REMINDER #BCHwy1 – the highway is closed between #BostonBarBC and #AshcroftBC.This is due to the #SawCreekWildfire burning south of #LyttonBC.*⃣ Alternate route via #BCHwy5 or #BCHwy97C.#BCWildfire pic.twitter.com/RcIplHE8cK
Highway 1 is closed between Boston Bar and Ashcroft in all directions; Drive BC recommends using Highway 5 or Highway 97 as alternative routes.