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㽶ƵֱPeople were already fleeing㽶Ƶֱ: Officials hopeful entire Lytton community escaped wildfire

Some injuries have been reported, as well as significant destruction to 90% of village
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Some of the destruction seen July 1, 2021, caused by a fast-moving wildfire in Lytton, B.C., which sparked June 30, 2021. (Facebook photo)

As BC Wildfire crews focus on gaining control of the quick-moving blaze , officials are working to determine any injuries in hopes that everyone was able to escape the town before the fire took hold Wednesday night (June 30).

㽶ƵֱBecause the fire hit so quickly people went to wherever they felt safe, so today the challenge is to find where everyone is and make sure we have a list of who is safe,㽶Ƶֱ MLA Jackie Tegart told Black Press Media from her home in Ashcroft.

John Haugen, a deputy chief with the Lytton First Nation, says the nation is still trying to account for all of its members.

Part of the issue is a lack of cell service in the community, as well as people being forced to leave with little time to prepare.

In a statement on Facebook, Mission-Matsqui-Fraser Canyon MP Brad Vis confirmed that some injuries had been reported but did not speak to what extent.

Evacuation centres have been set up in Boston Bar, Merritt, Chilliwack and Lillooet. According to 2016 census data, roughly 249 people live in the village municipality, with another 1,700 in the surrounding area.

Tegart said for many in the region, the moment they see smoke it 㽶Ƶֱbrings everything back㽶Ƶֱ from the historic 2017 wildfire that destroyed much of Cache Creek.

㽶ƵֱSo many people experienced evacuation, loss of homes and properties 㽶Ƶֱ the rebuild after 㽶Ƶֱ and to wake up to smoky skies and hear what is happening in Lytton 㽶Ƶֱ it㽶Ƶֱs just the beginning,㽶Ƶֱ she said, listing off other large fires burning in the province near 100 Mile House and Kamloops.

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While much has been learned about fighting wildfires since 2017, this year has been unique due to the global pandemic.

㽶ƵֱIt is going to be challenging for people to feel comfortable around others and to feel safe,㽶Ƶֱ Tegart said, calling it an added stressor on top of all that has happened in such a short amount of time.

Scott Hildebrand, chief administrative officer of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, said the fire spread within minutes.

He said the evacuation order for the village was issued as soon as possible.

㽶ƵֱIt didn㽶Ƶֱt matter because people were already fleeing,㽶Ƶֱ Hildebrand said.

A reception centre was set up in Kamloops while another one was being planned in Merritt; however, he said regional districts did not yet have anyone registered at the centre in Kamloops.

The few hotels around Lytton had already been booked by people trying to escape the scorching heat wave, those who㽶Ƶֱd booked a room for Canada Day as pandemic restrictions lifted, and by crews working on a pipeline project.

At least three major wildfires were burning in B.C. before the one in Lytton roared out of control. The fire is currently burning at roughly 8,000 hectares in size but expected to grow due to dry and windy conditions.

At least in the province.

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㽶Ƶֱ with files from The Canadian Press



ashley.wadhwani@bpdigital.ca

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About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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