Photo: BCWS
The Nohomin Creek wildfire northwest of Lytton has now grown to more than 3,000 hectares.
The British Columbia Wildfire Service released a new map Friday detailing the fire’s 3,057-hectare perimeter.
The fire was previously mapped at 2,660 hectares.
Fueled by temperatures of 41 C, the fire spread along the ridge up the Fraser River slope on Thursday.
“Further growth is expected in high-altitude areas where access is impeded by steep, rugged terrain. Rocky slopes and sparse fuels slowed fire growth in certain areas. The fire is not moving at a significant rate and is not spreading further west into the Stein Valley at this time,” BCWS said Friday.
Crews continue to fight the fire from the ground and air. Ninety-four ground firefighters are currently on the scene, supported by 11 helicopters and three units of heavy equipment.
An additional crew of 20 is arriving on site today.
Photo: BCWS
UPDATE 11:45 a.m
Evacuation orders issued by Thompson-Nicola Regional County due to the Nohomine Creek wildfire have been downgraded to warnings.
About 24 properties that were previously ordered are now under alert northwest of Lytton, west of the Fraser River, north of IR27 and south of IR9B, along Spencer Road as outlined on this map.
Services have also been restored to Lytton Ferry and the ferry is now open to local traffic only until further notice due to the bushfire.
A separate evacuation warning issued on July 14 for 31 properties remains in effect for the time being. Other evacuation alerts and orders from local First Nations remain active.
Residents with an evacuation alert are advised to stay packed and ready to evacuate immediately.
UPDATE: 9:45am
BC Hydro says its crews have restored and re-energized a section of power line that was lost in the Nohomin Creek wildfire near Lytton in mid-July.
The fire burned 60 electric poles; damaged power lines, three transformer sets and two single transformers cutting power to 112 customers.
Hydro crews were able to reconfigure the system and restore power to 39 customers the day the fire started, and then another 39 customers on July 24.
Water crews from across the southern interior are working on the effort.
After receiving permission from the British Columbia Wildfire Service late last week, Hydro crews removed hazardous trees and began construction last Saturday.
Helicopter support was required to bring power poles to the site and service has now been restored to all customers except where structures were lost or significantly damaged.
ORIGINAL: 6:25 am
Further growth of the Nohomin Creek wildfire northwest of Lytton is expected today as hot temperatures continue.
The fire is now estimated to have burned 2,660 hectares as increased fire activity created smoke that was highly visible in the surrounding area on Thursday.
Similar hot and dry conditions are expected today and fire activity is likely to increase again by midday, the British Columbia Wildfire Service says.
“Further growth is expected in high-elevation areas where access is impeded by steep, rugged terrain,” the service said in an update Thursday evening.
However, rocky slopes and scarce fuels have slowed the fire’s spread in certain areas.
“The fire is not moving at a significant rate and is not spreading westwards into the Stein Valley at this time,” the bushfire service said.
Temperatures on Thursday reached 41 C. Combined with low humidity and light to moderate winds, the fire reached the top of a ridge up the Fraser River slope in the Stein Valley.
Crews are working in the area to establish wet lines and areas without fuel
On the northern flank of the fire, crews continue to make progress in establishing containment lines.
“The northern flank is stable and there is minimal growth east of the Stein Valley,” BCWS says.
On the southern flank, they continue to establish demarcation lines.
A total of 106 firefighters are battling the blaze, supported by 10 helicopters and three units of heavy equipment.
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