The new wildfire which sparked near Lytton, BC is not as large as previously estimated, but officials warn that the flames could still grow within the week.
About 22 square kilometres have burned so far by the Nohomin Creek fire, which sparked on July 14, the BC Wildfire Service said earlier this week. This new figure is three square kilometres less than what was previously reported.
CBC News reported that fire crews have made progress in controlling the blaze on the north and south flanks but have been forced to take frequent breaks to prevent heat stress and exhaustion.
Environment Canada has warned that temperatures in the region will rise to 40 C by the middle of this week. The fire could still potentially grow as hot and dry conditions persist, officials said.
Since the fire first sparked, it has burned several homes and led to several evacuation orders by the Lytton First Nation and Thompson-Nicola Regional District. The fire burns across the Fraser River, northwest of the village of Lytton, which is still reeling from its last catastrophic wildfire in 2021 that destroyed most of the community.
BC Wildfire Service warned that the Nohomin Creek fire is still growing along its western flank but has not crossed the Stein River. Officials said that crews are prepared to respond should the fire spread, and that more than 450 meters of sprinkler lines have been installed along the Stein Valley to protect park infrastructure.
