UPDATE: 1:30 p.m.
BC Wildfire Service says a wildfire burning south of Lytton is now estimated at 2.2 hectares.
ORIGINAL: 11 a.m.
A wildfire is sending smoke over Highway 1 as it continues to burn out of control south of Lytton.
On Wednesday, the wildfire was burning beside the train tracks and near Falls Creek (Jackass Mountain). It was first discovered Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) fire information officer Sam Bellion says smoke is very visible from the highway and the surrounding areas.
“We’ve got a lot of folks in the area responding,” says Bellion. “We’re currently responding to this fire with two initial attack crews, one unit crew and a local First Nation crew."
An additional contracted crew, a BCWS officer crew and two helicopters are responding to the wildfire, estimated to be 1.14 hectares.
"There's also staff from CN Rail attending at this time because it's quite close to the tracks there,’ says Bellion.
An investigation into the cause is underway as the fire is not suspected to have been sparked by lightning.
As of 10 a.m., traffic is not being impacted on Highway 1 but people are encouraged to check with DriveBC for updates.
“Hot and dry trends do continue,” says Bellion. “Our fuels are more susceptible to ignite.”
Winds are not expected in the area for Wednesday.
The wildfire is anticipated to spread or grow as it is burning out of control.
