Firefighters battling a wildfire south of Lytton, British Columbia, reported some relief from cooler overnight temperatures and light winds, though officials cautioned that fire activity could increase as daytime temperatures rise. The BC Wildfire Service noted that crews prioritized protecting structures near the Saw Creek wildfire, which has grown slightly to approximately seven square kilometers.

Efforts remain focused on securing the perimeter around affected communities, with firefighters supported by aircraft continuing to work in the area. Sunday’s weather forecast called for temperatures ranging from the mid-20s to low 30s Celsius, accompanied by declining relative humidity, factors that could contribute to heightened fire activity as the day progresses.

The blaze, which ignited on Friday, has prompted evacuation orders and alerts impacting more than 230 properties, including residents of the Lytton First Nation under a separate evacuation directive. Authorities have also closed a 115-kilometre section of Highway 1 due to the fire.

The incident comes nearly five years after a devastating wildfire on June 30, 2021, that destroyed much of the town of Lytton and resulted in two fatalities. In response to the current emergency, the regional district has declared a state of emergency for Lytton and the surrounding Blue Sky County.

Firefighting resources allocated to this incident include 135 personnel, nine helicopters, and specialized structure protection teams. As of Sunday morning, British Columbia had 18 active wildfires, with two reported as out-of-control.