Wildfire near Lytton, B.C., grows to 1,700 hectares; First Nation works to salvage food

The acting chief of the Lytton First Nation says about 30 evacuees briefly returned home in an effort to salvage food they left behind in freezers when a wildfire broke out Thursday 1.7 kilometres northwest of Lytton, B.C.

The acting chief of the Lytton First Nation tells The Canadian Press about 30 evacuees briefly returned home in an effort to salvage food they left behind in freezers when a wildfire broke out Thursday nearly 1.7 kilometres northwest of Lytton, B.C.

John Haugen says the fire destroyed six residences and triggered evacuation orders that forced a total of 97 people from his community and about 40 people from neighbouring areas out of their homes.

He says hydro in the region isn't expected to be restored for at least 10 days, and because a timeline for when people may officially return to their properties has yet to be determined, rotting food would create another issue for residents.

The BC Wildfire Service published a map of the fire perimeter on Sunday, showing the blaze at an estimated 1,706 hectares in size. 

Though cooler temperatures and humidity overnight helped "dampen fire behaviour," the wildfire remains classified as out of control, according to the service's latest update. 

The growth in the fire – which was estimated at 1,500 hectares on Saturday – has happened upslope on its west flank, the wildfire service said.

Sunday's forecast called for temperatures in the mid-20’s, with winds gusting up to 40 km/h in the afternoon, according to the service.