LYTTON – The Out of Control portion of the Nohomin Creek wildfire (K70580) is now burning entirely within the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park. The wildfire will remain classified as Out of Control until naturally extinguished, with the Lytton First Nation monitoring growth regularly. The Nohomin Creek wildfire remains active in high elevation parts of the Stein Valley. It will continue to produce smoke potentially visible to surrounding communities while burning conditions are present. Based on long term fire behaviour modelling, there is no present or predicted threat to communities.
The Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park is co-managed by Lytton First Nation and the Province. They work in partnership to protect the ecological and cultural significance of the Stein River Valley. Lytton First Nation, BC Parks and the BC Wildfire Service acknowledge that fire is a natural ecological process necessary to maintain a healthy forest and a diversity of plant and animal life. The park has a co-developed Fire Management Plan outlining the valley bottom, the walking trail and the watershed as areas where suppression efforts may be permitted. Suppression efforts have been carried out in these areas successfully. The remainder of the park will be allowed to have naturally burning wildfire.
Over the last three weeks, Lytton First Nation, BC Wildfire Service, and contract firefighters have worked to ensure the fire’s eastern flank is suppressed and hotspots extinguished around structures. In addition, wildfire suppression equipment and gear caches have been installed on structures and cultural values along the walking trail in advance of any fire activity being observed in lower elevations north along the Stein River. The Lytton First Nation will closely monitor the wildfire to ensure it does not threaten further structures or cultural values. A long term fire behaviour analysis is in place to identify areas where wildfire growth would require suppression.
In addition to the park being culturally significant, it also serves as the breadbasket of Lytton First Nation. Lytton First Nation acknowledges and respects the water that flows from the peaks to the valley, as it serves as the community watershed, providing hydration and nourishment to a large portion of the community on the east and west side of the Fraser River. Lytton First Nation is dedicated to long term post wildfire mitigation efforts together with stakeholders to ensure this resource continues to be sufficient.
Contact:
John Haugen
Deputy Chief
Lytton First Nation
250 457-0947
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy
Media Relations
250 953-3834
Fire Information Officer
BC Wildfire Service
Kamloops Fire Centre
250 554-5965