UPDATE July 15 12 noon. – The latest information from the BC Wildfire Service shows the Nohomin Creek Wildfire northwest of Lytton has grown in size to 800 hectares.

The fire initially jumped from 250 to 500 hectares from 10 p.m. on Thursday to 5 a.m. this morning, before growing further on the west flank, in steep terrain.

This comes after evacuation alerts were issued north of Lytton late Thursday evening for homes on both the west and east banks of the Fraser River.

The TNRD Emergency Operation Centre has issued an Evacuation Alert for approximately 31 addressed properties due to the Nohomin Creek wildfire.

Details: https://t.co/dRIS8CIgDA pic.twitter.com/xsXuyESKJS

— TNRD (@TNRD) July 15, 2022

The new alert covers 31 more homes north of Lytton on Highway 12, as well as all properties on the west side of the Fraser River and north of Stein River to the Squamish Lillooet Regional District border.

The alert, issued at 10pm, came just a few hours after the Thompson-Nicola Regional District confirmed homes northwest of the Village of Lytton were put under an evacuation order.

The TNRD Emergency Operations Centre has issued an Evacuation Order for approximately 24 addressed properties northwest of Lytton on the west side of the Fraser River, due to the Nohomin Creek wildfire.

Details: https://t.co/719rkABQhI pic.twitter.com/H4AS9Z5mCW

— TNRD (@TNRD) July 15, 2022

Compounding challenges for those living in the area is spotty mobile phone coverage, with cellular and Internet services being disrupted due to the fire.

The other challenge has been getting out of the fire zone itself.

As part of the original evacuation order, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District put out an advisory to those forced to leave.

“Individuals who are evacuating should take Spencer Road North to Lillooet for emergency egress,” noted the TNRD in its statement early Thursday evening.  “The route south to Boston Bar on the west side of the Fraser River has been compromised due to the spring freshet, and the Lytton Ferry remains out of service due to high water.”

This comes as the fire continues to grow and remains a challenge for crews due to high winds on Thursday, on top of high heat which has created challenges in fighting the fires.

Early reports have suggested the fire may have consumed people’s homes — though unconfirmed.

Speaking earlier in the afternoon on Thursday, Pader Brach, Executive Director of Regional Operations at Emergency Management BC, said there were unconfirmed reports that three structures were lost to the fire.

“Our condolences to the entire community,” Brach said. “Emergency Management BC is here to support the Lytton First Nation and those who have been forced to evacuate.”