Highway 1 Closure Impacts Regional Travel
The Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) remains closed in both directions between Boston Bar and Cache Creek due to the rapidly escalating Saw Creek wildfire. DriveBC, the provincial road monitoring service, issued the closure on Friday evening to ensure public safety and allow emergency crews unhindered access to the blaze.
The fire, which was discovered Friday afternoon, has grown significantly, reaching an estimated 200 hectares by late Friday night. The BC Wildfire Service has categorized the incident as a “fire of note” due to its intensity, characterized by Rank 4 and 5 fire activity—indicating extreme surface spread and crown fire behavior.
Evacuation Orders and Emergency Response
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has issued formal evacuation orders for 47 addresses within the Village of Lytton, specifically targeting areas east of Highway 1, including Ponderosa Heights. Residents in the affected zones are required to leave immediately and are directed to the emergency support services center at the Battlefield Community Hall.
While the Village of Lytton itself is under an evacuation alert, the TNRD has placed additional properties under order from Florence Road north to Airport Road. BC Wildfire Service personnel, supported by Lytton Fire Rescue, aerial assets, and structural protection units, are currently working to establish control lines on the northwest and south flanks of the fire.
Authorities suspect the fire is human-caused and have initiated an investigation. Motorists are strongly advised to check the latest updates on the DriveBC website or mobile application before planning travel through the BC Interior, as conditions remain volatile and subject to rapid change.