The BC Wildfire Service says the out-of-control Nohomin Creek wildfire will burn within the Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park until it is naturally extinguished.

In an update Wednesday, it says the Lytton First Nation will be monitoring growth on the fire – which will no longer be classified as a Wildfire of Note – regularly.

The suspected human caused fire which broke out on July 14, will also continue to produce smoke that may be visible in surrounding communities, though based on long-term fire behaviour modelling, there is no present or predicted threat to communities.

The Stein Valley Nlaka’pamux Heritage Park is co-managed by Lytton First Nation and the BC Government who work together to protect the ecological and cultural significance of the Stein River Valley.

“Lytton First Nation, BC Parks, and the BC Wildfire Service acknowledge that fire is a natural ecological process necessary to maintain a healthy forest and a diversity of plant and animal life,” the BCWS statement said. “The park has a co-developed Fire Management Plan outlining the valley bottom, the walking trail and the watershed as areas where suppression efforts may be permitted.”

“Suppression efforts have been carried out in these areas successfully. The remainder of the park will be allowed to have naturally burning wildfire.”

Over the last three weeks, the Wildfire Service said it, Lytton First Nation, and contract firefighters have worked to suppress fire activity on the eastern flank with also extinguishing hotspots around structures.

“The Lytton First Nation will closely monitor the wildfire to ensure it does not threaten further structures or cultural values,” the statement added. “A long-term fire behaviour analysis identifying areas where wildfire growth would require suppression is in place.”

Last Friday, Aug. 5, the TNRD lifted an evacuation alert for 55 properties.