The Nohomin Creek fire northwest of Lytton has now grown to more than 3,000 hectares. The BC Wildfire Service released a new map Friday, detailing the perimeter of the 3,057-hectare fire. The fire was previously mapped at 2,660 acres. Pushed by temperatures of 41C, the fire moved uphill on the Fraser River Ridge on Thursday. “Further growth is expected in high-elevation areas where access is blocked by steep, craggy terrain. Rocky slopes and sparse fuels have slowed fire growth in some areas. The fire is not moving at a significant rate and is not expanding further west into the valley.” Stein at this time,” BCWS said Friday. Crews continue to fight the fire from the ground and air. Ninety-four ground crew firefighters are now at the scene and are supported by 11 helicopters and three pieces of heavy equipment. An additional unit crew of 20 is arriving at the site today. Photo: BCWS UPDATE 11:45 AM Evacuation orders ordered by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District due to the Nohomin Creek Fire have been downgraded to an alert. About 24 previously ordered properties are now on watch northwest of Lytton, west of the Fraser River, north of IR27 and south of IR9B, along Spencer Road, as outlined on this map. Service has also been restored to Lytton Ferry and the ferry is now open to local traffic only until further notice due to the fire. A separate evacuation warning issued on July 14 for 31 properties remains in effect at this time. Other evacuation notices and orders from local First Nations remain in effect. Residents on evacuation watch are advised to stay packed and ready to evacuate immediately. UPDATE: 9:45 a.m BC Hydro says its crews have rebuilt and reactivated a section of a power line that was lost in the Nohomin Creek Fire near Lytton in mid-July. The fire burned 60 power poles. damaged power lines, three transformer banks and two single transformers, knocking out power to 112 customers. Hydro crews were able to reset the system and restore power to 39 customers on the day of the fire and then to another 39 customers on July 24. Hydropower personnel from across the Southern Interior worked on the effort. After receiving permission from the BC 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 on the Nohomin Creek fire northwest of Lytton is expected today as hot temperatures persist. The blaze is now estimated to have burned 2,660 hectares as the growing blaze produced smoke that was highly visible in the surrounding area on Thursday. Similar hot and dry conditions are expected today and fire activity will likely pick up again by midday, the BC Wildfire Service says. “Further growth is expected in high-elevation areas where access is blocked by steep, rugged terrain,” the agency said in an update Thursday night. However, rocky slopes and sparse fuels have slowed fire growth in some areas. “The fire is not moving at a significant rate and is not extending west into the Stein Valley at this time,” the fire service said. Temperatures on Thursday reached 41 C. Coupled with low humidity and light to moderate winds, the fire reached the top of the Fraser River Ridge in the Stein Valley. Crews are working in the area to establish wet lines and areas without fuel On the north side of the fire, crews continue to make progress in establishing containment lines. “The north side is stable and there is minimal growth east of Stein Valley,” BCWS says. On the south side, they continue to create containment lines. A total of 106 firefighters are battling the blaze, supported by 10 helicopters and 3 pieces of heavy equipment.
