In an update on August 1, 2025, the number of wildfires in British Columbia has doubled in the past 24 hours. An uncontrollable wildfire near Lytton, B.C., has led to evacuation orders for two sparsely populated First Nations reserves on the western side of the Fraser River. Chief Niakia Hanna of the Lytton First Nation stated that properties on the Lytton 26A and Skwayaynope 26 reserves are under evacuation orders due to immediate life and safety risks from the Cantilever Bar wildfire. This wildfire has been burning approximately 10 kilometers south of the village of Lytton since Monday.
To assist evacuees, an emergency reception center has been established at the Lytton First Nation Battlefield Community Hall, with residents directed to evacuate via South Spencer Road. An evacuation order mandates immediate departure, while an alert advises residents to be prepared to leave at short notice.
Additionally, a few properties remain under alert along the western side of the Fraser River, including those belonging to the Siska and Skuppah First Nations and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. The fire’s size has expanded to over 10 square kilometers, up from 1.5 square kilometers earlier in the week and 6.5 square kilometers by Wednesday, as per the B.C. Wildfire Service. The increase in the estimation is attributed to more precise perimeter mapping after improved visibility allowed aircraft to conduct overhead assessments.
The wildfire is suspected to be human-caused, a classification encompassing all fires not initiated by lightning. Currently, structure protection crews and 31 firefighters are actively engaged at the site. The fire is situated in rugged terrain and is visible from Highway 1, prompting authorities to urge motorists to exercise caution and reduce speed while passing through the area.
Chief Hanna of the Lytton First Nation expressed community anxiety over the recurring fires, emphasizing ongoing wildfire preparedness initiatives across the Nation’s territories. Dry conditions persist in the region, raising significant concerns due to historically low rainfall amounts.
Despite not posing an immediate threat to Lytton village on the eastern side of the Fraser River, the wildfire is causing widespread distress among residents still recovering from the 2021 disaster. Following the devastating wildfire that ravaged the village four years ago, progress in the rebuilding process has been slow due to various challenges, including archeological studies and insurance limitations. However, signs of community revival are emerging, with some residents returning home and a few businesses reopening.
The relentless dry conditions fuel fire activity not only near Lytton but across British Columbia. The Fraser Canyon area remains parched, with soaring temperatures near 40°C making vegetation highly susceptible to ignition. The Lytton wildfire is one of several significant blazes in the province, coinciding with heat warnings issued by Environment Canada for areas experiencing temperatures in the high 30s.
In other regions, swift evacuation efforts are underway as wildfires threaten communities. Near Peachland, police and fire personnel evacuated residents from 400 properties due to a rapidly spreading wildfire, with an additional 225 properties on evacuation alert. The B.C. Wildfire Service has upgraded a blaze in the Fraser Valley to a “wildfire of note,” prompting warnings for campers near Harrison Lake to vacate the area ahead of the long weekend.
The Bear Creek fire, encompassing 65 hectares, has been designated as the first “fire of note” in B.C. since July 9, signifying heightened public interest. With around 70 active wildfires burning across the province, including 20 that ignited within the past 24 hours, concerns persist regarding the potential for further fire outbreaks amid the prevailing hot and dry conditions.