UPDATE: 151-hectare wildfire north of Lillooet now 'held'

(UPDATE: June 27 @ 11:15 am) – The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the Tiffin Creek wildfire burning north of Lillooet is now being considered as “held.”

The fire, which started on June 24, grew to an estimated 151 hectares and is suspected to be human caused.

A wildfire that is being held is expected to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary, says BCWS.

The fire went from showing rank three behaviour, which means “displaying an organized flame front and moderate rate of spread,” down to rank one in the northeast corner, which is a smouldering ground fire.

“Crews are making good progress with containment lines and mop up,” the BCWS says.

(UPDATE: June 25 @ 3:10 pm) – A wildfire burning north of Lillooet is now estimated at 151 hectares.

The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) provided an update Tuesday afternoon said the new size estimate is due to “more accurate” tracking of the fire and that there has been minimal growth since Monday.

Although the fire is quite large, the BCWS said no structures are being threatened.

The Tiffin Creek wildfire is still highly visible from Highway 99, Lillooet and Pavilion, the BCWS said.

The fire “is currently burning on a steep slope with rank 2 fire behaviour in the northeast corner.”

That section is being acted on by a crew and air resources.

However, the BCWS said crews are making good progress on building a handguard and hose system on the south flank. Additional progress is being made on the eastern flank too.

There are four initial attack crews, one unit crew, two response officers, four helicopters and four pieces of heavy equipment responding to the fire.

Thumbnail photo credit: BCWS

(UPDATE: June 25 at 5:40 am): The fire is now estimated to be 60 hectares in size, according to the latest update from the BC Wildfire Service.

It is still classed as out of control.

(Original story: June 24 at 4:45 pm): The BC Wildfire Service is responding to an out of control fire burning north of Lillooet.

The Tiffen Creek fire started Monday afternoon and, as of 3:30 pm, was estimated at 25 hectares in size.

According to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the fire is 15 kilometres north of the city and burning on a steep slope with rank three fire behaviour.

The BC Wildfire Service is currently responding to the Tiffen Creek wildfire (K70591), 15 kilometers north of Lillooet. pic.twitter.com/c24tBRooqm

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) June 24, 2024

That means the wildfire is “displaying an organized flame front and moderate rate of spread.”

The BCWS says the fire is highly visible from Highway 99, Lillooet and Pavillion.

Two initial attack crews, one unit crew, a response officer, one helicopter and air tankers are responding.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District has not issued evacuation alerts or orders.

The BCWS website says the fire is suspected to be human caused.