An evacuation order from the Lytton First Nation has been lifted as firefighters reported progress in containing a nearby wildfire. The Cantilever Bar wildfire, which had previously been classified as out of control, is now under control, prompting the rescinding of evacuation alerts from both the Lytton First Nation and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

Despite the lifting of these alerts, British Columbia’s emergency information agency indicates that evacuation alerts from two other nearby First Nations remain active. Meanwhile, firefighters on Vancouver Island are battling a separate wildfire that has prompted the evacuation of nearly 390 homes in the Regional District of Nanaimo. This wildfire, which spans approximately five square kilometers north of Cameron Lake, has been challenging to contain due to hot and dry conditions.

The B.C. Wildfire Service reported that crews have made significant progress in containing the blaze, which is being closely monitored to prevent it from spreading to nearby homes and the Highway 4 corridor. Light rain on Tuesday aided firefighting efforts, allowing teams to expand containment lines. Night-vision helicopters were deployed to work on the fire’s perimeter overnight.

Fire officials noted that the fire behavior has mostly been limited to a low-intensity surface fire, although some areas have experienced higher burning intensity. Currently, there are about 125 active wildfires across British Columbia, a number that has doubled since the previous week, largely due to hot, dry weather and numerous lightning strikes.

Residents have expressed concerns that the Wesley Ridge fire near Cameron Lake could threaten a nearby temperate rainforest, home to trees that have stood for 800 years. However, the wildfire service has stated that the rainforest is not currently at risk.