Lytton wildfire 20 per cent contained
Size of the fire remains stable at 12.7 square kilometers, as crews slowly make progress
A large fire burning just five kilometres south of Lytton, B.C. is now 20 percent contained.
Crews have made steady progress throughout the weekend after suffering a setback Friday when the fire increased in size to 15 square kilometres.
Since then is has been reduced to about 12.7 square kilometres, but officials warn that if the winds pick up that could change.
The fire has been burning since Thursday.
On Sunday, Linda Smith took time from her duties at the Lytton Hotel's restaurant, one of only two restaurants in town, to talk about the fire and the community's response.
"It's just everybody banding together...and it's amazing, but it's also been really, really hard — a lot of emotions going on," she said. "The other night we had firefighters lined up outside the door after we were closed and I thought I've got to open that door and let them in. There is no way we are going to turn these guys away."
The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch says while there was no significant growth in the fire, that could change.
"Although a couple days ago the fire received precipitation, that is starting to dry out once again and fire behaviour could increase," it warned in a statement. "Crews will continue to watch the winds as they could also affect fire behaviour."
About 6.7 millimetres of rain fell on the fire Friday.
The wind has been carrying heavy smoke throughout southern B.C. The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch says the smoke is visible from Merritt, Kamloops and Vernon.
An empty building was destroyed in the fire while about 20 homes remain under an evacuation alert issued by the Lytton First Nation.
People living in two other homes were forced to leave due to safety concerns.
More than 90 firefighters, nine helicopters and five pieces of heavy equipment are currently battling the blaze.
With files from Jeff Harrington