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UPDATE: Crews made good progress Sunday fighting 350 hectare George Road wildfire, BC Wildfire Service says

'Good progress' fighting fire

UPDATE: 10:15 p.m.

Crews made good progress fighting the George Road wildfire on Sunday, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

In a Facebook post, the BC Wildfire Service said fire activity on Sunday was quiet.

"Although the fire looks inactive, it is still burning in the inoperable terrain," the post said.

"As temperatures increase throughout this week, our crews will continue their hard work and suppression efforts by ground and air."

Fire Information Officer Madison Smith said there will be four personnel stationed on site overnight.

The blaze, which is located near Lytton, is still estimated at 350 hectares in size.

On Sunday, 77 crew members were on scene to fight the blaze, supported by nine helicopters.


ORIGINAL: 12:15 p.m.

Fire crews continue to fight the George Road wildfire near Lytton Sunday morning, after more accurate mapping has determined the fire is burning a 350-hectare area.

The fire was sparked Wednesday, and evacuation alerts remain in place for ten homes in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District 's Electoral Area I, and in the Lytton First Nation's IR 20 Kitzowit reservation.

Saturday, the BC Wildfire Service estimated the fire was 250 hectares in size, but with more accurate mapping Sunday, that estimate has risen by 100 hectares.

“Due to the lower fire activity and better visibility on the fire yesterday, our crews were able to fly around the perimeter of the fire, to get an accurate size of the fire,” the BCWS said Sunday.

“Since this fire is burning in very steep and rocky terrain, the fire has been burning in a very scattered pattern, creating many different fingers and spots. After tracking around all of the different spots and fingers, the fire is now 350 hectares in size.”

Sunday morning, 77 firefighters are working on the fire, with support from nine helicopters, two water tenders and two pieces of heavy equipment.

“The ground crews and helicopters made good progress on the fire yesterday, taking advantage of the cooler weather that Lytton experienced yesterday,” the BCWS said.

“As we are moving into hotter and drier weather, we are working with our partners and land managers to create a long term management and monitor strategy for the upper areas of the fire that our ground crews cannot action due to safety concerns.”

Saturday, air support on the southern side of the fire was suspended after a drone was spotted flying in the area.

Temperatures in the Lytton area are expected to exceed 30 C every day this week, with a high of 36 C Monday.



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