The latest update from the BC Wildfire Service shows the Nohomin Creek wildfire burning near Lytton has not grown in any significant size since Friday evening.
A late Saturday afternoon update shows the fire remains pegged at 1,500 hectares, or 15 square kilometers in size.
However, BC Parks has confirmed the fire has forced partial the shutdown of the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park.
The Park itself is in a remote area, popular with experienced hikers and back packers.
“This is a wilderness park containing spectacular scenery and outstanding historical, cultural and spiritual values. It protects the entire Stein River watershed,” according to BC Parks. “This is a user-maintained area, with 150 km of hiking trails and routes, four cable crossings, a suspension bridge and several wilderness campgrounds.”
(Forks Camp, inside Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Provincial Park/via BC Parks)
However, access due to the fire is now limited.
“Due to the Nohomin Creek wildfire, a Regional District evacuation order is currently affecting access to the lower trailhead near the community of Lytton,” cautions BC Parks. “There is currently no access to, or from the trailhead at this time.”
This follows a decision by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Lytton First Nation to issue evacuation orders on Thursday due to the wildfire, which has already destroyed a number of homes in the area.
It remains unclear how long access to Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park will be disrupted, given that fire activity near the trailhead is still an issue.
“The northern flank has been active,” noted the BC Wildfire Service in its Saturday afternoon update. “Two unit crews are using direct attack and small-scale hand ignitions to remove sections of unburnt fuel to help establish control lines and direct the fire upslope. Structure protection crews are actively triaging, assessing needs and installing sprinklers as required.”
