Warmer, drier conditions expected at Nohomin Creek wildfire

Photo: BCWS

BC Wildfire Service crews lay hose in steep terrain at the Nohomin Creek wildfire.

UPDATE: 10:40 a.m.

Fire crews working on the Nohomin Creek wildfire are preparing for “potentially volatile conditions” as warmer and drier conditions are forecast in the coming days.

The large fire burning northwest of Lytton is currently estimated at 2,223 hectares in size, with most of the recent growth coming on the western flank, away from homes. This growth is occurring in “extremely steep terrain,” which has proven challenging for firefighters.

“As expected, yesterday afternoon fire activity significantly increased on the northern portion of the western flank, located north of the Stein River. Planned ignitions may be utilized as early as today to remove fuel between the fire and preidentified natural control lines,” the BC Wildfire Service says in a Friday morning update.

“The warming and drying trend is expected to persist throughout the weekend and into next week. With less cloud cover, sunny weather and temperatures warming up more quickly throughout the day, relative humidity's will be lower than over the weekend and fuels will continue to dry out. This is expected to contribute to increased fire behaviour and fire activity, creating potentially volatile conditions during peak burning times.”

Temperatures are forecast to remain in the mid-30s through the weekend, reaching a high of 37 C by next week.

Containment lines that have been set up on the south, east and north flanks of the fire continue to hold up against gusting afternoon winds, according to the BCWS.

Homes in the Nohomeen IR 13, Papyum IRs 27, 27A, Lytton IR 27B, Papyum Graveyard 27C and Stryen IR 9 continue to be under evacuation orders. These homes are on the south and east flanks of the large fire.

Friday, crews will will work to continue establishing containment lines south of Stryen Creek, while helicopters provide bucketing support.

Protecting the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park continues to remain a priority.

“A representative from Lytton First Nation that specializes in archeological site and cultural values is working with structure protection specialists and BCWS crews to identify cultural values and provide guidance and recommendations on the best options for protection of those values,” the BCWS says.

“1,500 ft of sprinklers and hoselay has been installed along the Stein Valley walking path. The sprinkler system was activated yesterday for the day to add moisture into the valley bottom ahead of the anticipated hot and dry afternoon conditions. The sprinkler system was tested again this morning. Initial attack crews completed mop up on the 1.3-hectare spot fire found on the morning of July 17th near the start of the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park walking trail.”

“Proactive” structure protection assessments continue as well, in case the warming and drying trend causes growth towards homes.

Friday, four 20-person unit crews, seven three-person initial attack crews and 18 Lytton First Nation firefighters are working on the fire, along with structure protection personnel and an incident management team. Four water tenders and 11 helicopters are also supporting the ground crews.

The cause of the fire remains unknown and under investigation at this time.

Photo: BCWS

ORIGINAL: 6:10 a.m.

A wildfire burning out-of-control just under two kilometres northwest of the village of Lytton now covers more than 22 square kilometres.

The BC Wildfire Service says updated aerial tracking now estimates the fire having burned 2,223 hectares.

In an overnight update, the wildfire service said as expected, the recent warmer and drier weather combined with the extremely steep terrain has resulted in a significant increase in activity in the Nohomin Creek Fire, particularly north of the Stein River.

The service said the lower relative humidity will cause fuels to dry out, creating potentially volatile conditions during peak burning times.

Crews are expected to begin planned ignitions to remove fuel between the fire and preidentified natural control lines.

The blaze has destroyed at least six properties and forced more than 100 people from their homes on the west side of the Fraser River, northeast of Vancouver.

The wildfire service said it is working with a representative of Lytton First Nation to identify areas of cultural value in the area and decide how to protect them.

– The Canadian Press