Lytton, B.C. faces evacuation as Saw Creek wildfire spreads

A new wildfire, named the Saw Creek fire, was discovered Friday about three kilometres south of Lytton, British Columbia. The blaze, now measured at roughly six square kilometres, is burning out of control and has been classified as a “wildfire of note.”

The Thompson‑Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order for 47 properties in the village and alerts for another 168 addresses. About 130 firefighters, nine helicopters and structure‑protection crews are battling the fire, which has forced the closure of Highway 1 for 116 kilometres between Boston Bar and Cache Creek. The Lytton First Nation also issued an evacuation alert for some residents.

Residents, including long‑time inhabitant Judith Urquhart, recall the 2021 fire that killed two people and razed most of the community, after which more than C$140 million in federal and provincial funding was allocated for rebuilding. The village’s population has fallen from about 210 pre‑2021 to roughly 75 now. Urquhart urged neighbours to stay focused, keep emergency plans ready and rely on provincial and federal support as the community confronts another emergency.

Local authorities have declared a state of emergency, and power outages caused by the fire were restored by BC Hydro. Community members are using social media to check on each other while awaiting further developments.