Share this Story: Toxic smoke prevents search for missing residents in Lytton
Toxic smoke prevents search for missing residents in Lytton
Emergency officials are not saying how many people are unaccounted for after the fire at Lytton and have been stymied in their attempts to enter the area.
Lisa Cordasco
Jul 02, 2021 • July 2, 2021 • 2 minute read • Join the conversation
Structures destroyed by wildfire are seen in Lytton, B.C., on Thursday, July 1, 2021. Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Pader Bracht, the executive director of operations for Emergency Management B.C., says officials have been unable to enter Lytton to assess damage and look for missing persons.
Toxic smoke prevents search for missing residents in Lytton Back to video
"There is a lot of dangerous, toxic smoke from structure fires that is hanging over the area," he said. "Chemicals like ammonia, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, cyanide and hydrochloric acid are in the air and that's a real concern."
B.C.'s chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said she is aware of two reported deaths from the Lytton fire but so far they are unconfirmed. "We have a coroner's team standing by" until it is safe to enter the area.
"We understand people are missing their loved ones and that is why it's so important to register with evacuation centres and the Red Cross Family Reunification Centre," RCMP Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet said.
The Red Cross has set up a toll free line 1-800-863-6582 for help in locating loved ones.
It's estimated more than 1,000 people from Lytton and nearby First Nations fled the fire that quickly engulfed the town Wednesday. Many have sought refuge at emergency reception centres that have been set up in Castlegar, Chilliwack, Kelowna and Merritt.
Pader said finding space to set up the reception centres has been a challenge.
"Lots of hotels were already overrun because of travellers and people escaping the heat," he said. "A lot of centres were already being used for COVID-19 vaccination clinics. The provincial government and local authorities are doing the best they can."
People are asked to check Emergency Info B.C. to find out where reception centres have been set up.
Some 16 evacuation orders are in effect for 1,362 homes in 11 regional districts and First Nations throughout the Interior, with most in the Lillooet, Lytton and Castlegar areas.
There are 136 fires burning across the province, but most are less than a square kilometre in size. There are nine fires of concern, at Sparks Lake near Kamloops, McKay Creek near Lillooet, and several around Lytton.
The director of provincial operations for the B.C. Wildfire Service says close to 3,000 firefighters are on the ground.
"Over the next seven days, we expect to continue to have higher temperatures and more wind, which will challenge our firefighting efforts," Cliff Chapman said.
Chapman said there are enough resources to battle the blazes, but he says the federal government is providing aircraft and helicopters that can lift heavy equipment and move personnel quickly to where they are needed.
He said this year's fire season has started several weeks early.
"So far 79,000 hectares has burned and we will be close to 100,000 hectares through the weekend and for this time of year, that is really high. In 2017, which was a devastating year, we did not see 100,000 hectares burn until mid July," said Chapman.
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