Photo: Thompson-Nicola Regional District

An evacuation alert has been issued for 175 properties in the Spences Bridge area due to the Lytton Creek wildfire.

A full list and map of the properties now under alert can be found on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District website.

The TNRD said residents should locate all family members, pack essential items, fill vehicles with gas and prepare to move pets and livestock to a safe area.

The Lytton Creek wildfire is now estimated to be 15,664 hectares in size, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

“Wildfire activity continues to be expected to increase in the afternoons in some sections of fire as hot and dry conditions persist, as well as strong afternoon winds,” the wildfire service said.

On Tuesday, crews reassessed control lines and located areas for additional control line construction.

The BC Wildfire Service said in the Botanie area, crews are setting up a water delivery system and building helicopter pads along the west side of the fire.

Containment lines are also being built using heavy equipment in the upper Botanie area.

There are 32 firefighters, five helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment assigned to the fire, along with 28 structure protection personnel.