Cooler overnight weather aids Lytton wildfire fight, but hot days ahead: BCWS

Cooler overnight weather aids Lytton wildfire fight, but hot days ahead: BCWS

Local officials say they feel more prepared for this fire than in 2021

Cooler temperatures and lighter winds helped decrease activity overnight on the wildfire burning near Lytton, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).

But the wildfire fighting agency said hot weather expected on Monday could bring more challenging conditions.

The Saw Creek wildfire remains burning out of control over an area of 7.04 square kilometres (704 hectares), just south of Lytton, as of 3:27 p.m. PT on Monday.

Fire crews have been prioritizing protecting structures in the area, the BCWS said in a response update Monday morning.

Temperatures on Monday are expected to be between the high 20s and low 30s with a lower relative humidity, which the BCWS says means fire activity could increase throughout the day.

"Light northeast winds are expected today with increased gusts in the afternoon," the service said.

Environment Canada is forecasting daily highs in the low 30s until Friday, when temperatures will drop and there is a chance of rain.

'Flashbacks' in Lytton, B.C., as anxious residents face evacuation orders, alerts

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An evacuation order issued by Lytton First Nation remains in place for properties in Kitzowitz IR 20.

About three properties in the Village of Lytton and 12 properties in Blue Sky Country are also under an evacuation order issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).

Tricia Thorpe, TNRD area director for Blue Sky Country, said conditions were looking better Monday morning.

"To me, the fire activity has decreased considerably from where it was on Saturday," she told CBC's Daybreak Kamloops.

She said she could not speak publicly on specific damage to structures but said there had been some.

"But then if you look at damage from a psychological point of view, I mean, it has had an impact on residents. It does bring back memories, not always positive."

Lytton, a village of about 75 residents located around 150 kilometres north east of Vancouver, was devastated by wildfire almost five years ago.

But this fire has been a "totally different experience," Thorpe said, as the community is much better prepared.

"This time, 2026, we had at least a tiny bit of time to do the things that we needed to do, and I think our communication is so much better," she said.

"We know who to reach out to, we know who to talk to, we know what resources are there, and we know how we can help each other."

‘How can this be happening again?’: Lytton residents face another wildfire

Lytton Mayor Denise O'Connor told Daybreak Kamloops one of her first thoughts in response to the wildfire over the weekend was: "Here we go again."

"But, you know, I think what it was, was that it was a test of our resiliency and we passed with flying colours," O'Connor said.

While some have questioned whether Lytton should be rebuilt when it repeatedly faces the threat of wildfires, O'Connor said the reason is simple.

"If you know what home is, then you will understand why we return and why we want to rebuild," she said.

"But I also heard somebody on the weekend say to me, 'Would they ask that same question in Kelowna?'"

Evacuation alerts, which means residents must be ready to leave at a moment's notice, have been issued for certain areas by Lytton First Nation, Siska Indian Band and Skuppah Indian Band, as well as the TNRD.

As of Sunday night, about 212 properties in Lytton were under alert, according to the village.

A boil water notice is in effect for the Village of Lytton, Klahkamich IR 17 and Klickkumcheen IR 18.

"As a precautionary measure, water users are advised to bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute before using it for drinking, making ice, brushing teeth, food preparation, etc.," says the village website.

The fire is believed to be human-caused, a classification given to any fire not started by lightning.

With files from Daybreak Kamloops and Lauren Vanderdeen