The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) issued an evacuation order late Friday for 13 addresses near Lytton, B.C., as the 200-hectare Saw Creek wildfire threatened the area. Highway 1 is closed in both directions between Ashcroft and Boston Bar, with the B.C. Wildfire Service identifying the blaze—suspected to be human-caused—as the province’s only current “fire of note.”
Why the Saw Creek wildfire is a significant threat
The Saw Creek fire is currently the only wildfire in British Columbia designated as a “fire of note,” a status assigned by the B.C. Wildfire Service to incidents that pose a significant threat to public safety or are highly visible. As of 10 p.m. PT Friday, the fire had grown to 200 hectares and was burning near the highway and local structures. Shae Stearns, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, stated that hot, dry conditions have left fuels in the region “highly susceptible to ignition.” The fire’s proximity to Lytton carries added weight, as the village was largely destroyed by a wildfire in June 2021, and residents continue to navigate slow progress in rebuilding.
Current evacuation status and public safety
Residents are currently facing two levels of emergency response. The TNRD issued an immediate evacuation order for 13 addresses east of Highway 1. Simultaneously, the Village of Lytton and portions of the Lytton First Nation north of the Klahkamich 17 reserve remain under an evacuation alert. According to official definitions, an alert requires residents to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, whereas an order mandates immediate departure. To manage the risk, the B.C. Wildfire Service has deployed aerial resources and structure protection specialists to assist ground crews battling the flames.
What happens next for the region
The movement of the fire remains tied to volatile weather patterns across the province. While the B.C. Wildfire Service noted that the northern half of British Columbia may see some precipitation and cooling this weekend, central and southern regions are expected to remain hot and dry. Temperatures are forecast to rise again province-wide on Sunday, which could increase the difficulty for crews attempting to contain the fire. DriveBC has not provided an estimated reopening time for the affected stretch of Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon, forcing commuters to detour via the Coquihalla Highway or Highway 97C until the route is deemed safe.
