Evacuation orders issued by Lytton First Nation for two fire-threatened reserves
Cantilever Bar Wildfire Continues to Threaten Lytton, BC
The Cantilever Bar wildfire, located approximately 10 kilometers south of Lytton, British Columbia, has grown to an estimated size of 1,040 hectares (10.4 km²) as of the latest updates. The fire has been burning near the west side of the river, prompting evacuation alerts for some properties.
The wildfire, which was first discovered on Monday, has tripled in size since its initial detection, but the larger size estimate is primarily due to clearer skies allowing for more accurate aerial mapping, rather than rapid new growth.
Firefighting efforts include the deployment of 51 firefighters, structure protection personnel, and four helicopters. The fire is currently moving northward, towards a burn scar from 2015-2016, which may help slow its spread.
The community of Lytton, still recovering from a devastating wildfire in 2021, remains vulnerable. Weather conditions remain challenging for wildfire suppression, with extreme heat warnings in the region potentially complicating control efforts.
Evacuation orders affect residents of Lytton 26A and Skwayaynope 26 reserves. Residents in Lytton are experiencing anxiety and PTSD due to the sight of the fire and smoke at night.
The Lytton Mayor Denise O'Connor has shared that the current wildfire has brought back traumatic memories of the 2021 blaze that virtually razed the community.
Elsewhere in British Columbia, part of Highway 97 has been closed due to an out-of-control wildfire burning near Peachland. Fire officials anticipate another hot day in the region, with temperatures near 40 C and low humidity, but are expecting a cooling trend in the coming days.
Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm watches amid the ongoing wildfire fight in British Columbia. The BC Wildfire Service warns of very dynamic fire situations.
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[1] BC Wildfire Service. (2025). Cantilever Bar wildfire update. Retrieved from BC Wildfire Service website
[2] CBC News. (2025). Cantilever Bar wildfire grows to 460 hectares south of Lytton, BC. Retrieved from CBC News website
[3] Global News. (2025). Over 728,000 hectares burned in BC wildfires this year. Retrieved from Global News website
[4] The Globe and Mail. (2025). Cantilever Bar wildfire grows to 460 hectares south of Lytton, BC. Retrieved from The Globe and Mail website
General news reports indicate that the Cantilever Bar wildfire, which has been impacting Lytton, BC, is also causing concern over the weather conditions. As the fire continues to spread, weather forecasts predict extreme heat warnings and severe thunderstorms in the region, potentially complicating firefighting efforts. These challenging weather conditions could exacerbate the already volatile wildfire situations warned about by the BC Wildfire Service.
