Canadian village entirely destroyed by wildfire in 2021 evacuated due to wildfire

The British Columbia village that was destroyed by wildfire in 2021 is now under evacuation orders as a quickly growing wildfire once again threatens the area.

Lytton made international headlines last year when a fire engulfed the town, destroying most of the houses and businesses. The fire came days after the village posted record-breaking summer temperatures of 49.6C.

In the months that followed, some residents returned and began the slow process of rebuilding. On Friday morning, however, the British Columbia Wildfire service said the Nohomin Creek fire is out of control and has doubled in size since Thursday evening, growing to 500 hectares. At least 50 residents in Lytton have been ordered to evacuate, as have several reserves within the Lytton First Nation.

The fire is burning on the west bank of the river, across from Lytton. Houses on the west shore of the river, part of the Lytton First Nation Reserve, were largely untouched by the 2021 fire.

Helicopters and 60 more firefighters are expected to arrive in the area Friday.