A fast-moving wildfire is once again threatening the village of Lytton, British Columbia, forcing evacuations and reviving painful memories of the catastrophic 2021 wildfire that almost erased the community from the map.

Emergency officials have declared a local state of emergency as the Saw Creek wildfire burns just south of the village, prompting evacuation orders and alerts for hundreds of residents in the surrounding area.

The latest wildfire comes just days before the fifth anniversary of the historic disaster that destroyed most of Lytton following Canada’s all-time temperature record.

Evacuation Orders Issued as Fire Approaches Community

Officials from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District confirmed that evacuation orders are currently in effect for dozens of properties within the Village of Lytton.

At least 47 addressed properties have been ordered to evacuate immediately, while another 168 properties remain under evacuation alert and could be ordered to leave on short notice if conditions deteriorate.

Authorities are urging residents to remain prepared and follow emergency instructions without delay.

State of Emergency Declared

A state of emergency has been declared for both Lytton and Blue Sky Country as firefighters continue battling the growing wildfire.

Emergency management teams are coordinating resources while monitoring fire behavior and weather conditions that could influence the blaze’s spread.

The nearby Lytton First Nation has also issued evacuation alerts for some of its residents as a precaution.

Wildfire Burns South of Lytton

The British Columbia Wildfire Service says the Saw Creek wildfire is burning approximately three kilometres south of the village.

Although firefighters reported some improvement Saturday morning, the fire remains active and dangerous.

Officials previously described the blaze as a highly aggressive wildfire with crown fire activity, capable of spreading rapidly through forested terrain.

Dozens of Firefighters Deployed

Large firefighting resources have been assigned to the incident, including:

• Ground firefighting crews
• Structure protection teams
• Helicopters
• Air support resources
• Heavy equipment

Authorities say crews are working aggressively to slow the wildfire’s advance and protect nearby homes and infrastructure.

Highway 1 Closed as Fire Grows

The wildfire has already caused major transportation disruptions across the region.

Officials closed a 116-kilometre section of Highway 1 between Boston Bar and Cache Creek due to the threat posed by the advancing flames.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area and monitor official updates for changing road conditions.

Hot and Dry Weather Fuelling Fire Growth

The BC Wildfire Service warns that hot temperatures, low humidity, and dry vegetation continue to create favorable conditions for wildfire spread.

The blaze has already expanded to approximately two square kilometres and officials believe it will likely continue growing under current weather conditions.

Investigators believe the fire may have been caused by human activity, although the exact cause remains under investigation.

Painful Memories of the 2021 Disaster

The latest wildfire is particularly emotional for residents because it comes almost exactly five years after one of the worst wildfire disasters in Canadian history.

On June 30, 2021, a devastating wildfire swept through Lytton only one day after the village recorded Canada’s highest temperature ever observed: 49.6°C (121.3°F).

The fire killed two people and destroyed nearly the entire community within hours.

Recovery Has Been Slow

Despite more than $140 million in federal and provincial recovery funding, rebuilding efforts have progressed slowly.

Before the 2021 wildfire, Lytton had a population of approximately 210 residents. Today, only a small fraction of the community has returned, with about 75 residents currently living in the village.

Only a few dozen homes have been rebuilt since the disaster.

Community Faces Another Test

As firefighters continue working to contain the Saw Creek wildfire, residents are once again facing uncertainty and anxiety about the future of their community.

Authorities remain hopeful that aggressive suppression efforts and changing fire behavior will prevent a repeat of the 2021 catastrophe.

However, emergency officials stress that the situation remains dynamic and that residents should remain prepared for rapidly changing conditions as the wildfire continues burning near the village.