A planned ignition on the on the northeastern corner of the Kookipi Creek fire in the Fraser Canyon did not go ahead on Wednesday, the BC Wildfire Service said.

The BC Wildfire Service says the roughly 90 hectare ignition is set to take place on the eastern side of Highway 1, utilizing Siska Creek, an old burn scar and an already established control line north of Kanaka Bar.

“Due to unfavourable winds, the planned ignition did not occur today (Aug 23),” the Wildfire Service said late Wednesday. “The site conditions will be reevaluated tomorrow to determine if the operation can occur.”

If the burn does take place, the BC Wildfire Service says smoke will be highly visible to the community of Kanaka Bar, Siska, Lytton First Nation, and area.

“The purpose of the planned ignition is to remove unburnt fuel between the fire’s edge natural features and nearby communities,” the BC Wildfire Service said. “During the operation the first priority is always safety, and it will only proceed if site and weather conditions are favourable.”

“Firefighters, heavy equipment and aircraft will be in place to protect the perimeter of the planned ignition.”

The 142 square kilometre Kookipi Creek fire has led to an evacuation alert in the Village of Lytton, and orders elsewhere in the communities across the Fraser Valley Regional District and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. Several orders and alerts also in place for a number of First Nations reserves in the area.

The fire crossed both the Fraser River and Highway 1, in the vicinity of Jackass Mountain, leading to the closure of the highway in both directions between Boston Bar and Lytton.

“Highway 1 remains closed due to the many safety hazards that are present along this route,” the Wildfire Service said. “These hazards include danger trees, rock fall, downed hydro lines and other debris. Highway 1 is a major artery, and we recognize that the closure has had significant impacts on movement throughout the region.”

“The closure was not implemented lightly, and it is critical that the public adheres to this and allow first responders to focus on wildfire suppression safely and effectively, without interference.”

Its not clear when the highway will be reopened, either fully or partially.

“Before plans to reopen the highway can begin, our crews and partners with BC Hydro will need to assess the downed lines and poles which will allow the danger tree assessors and fallers start the work required to make the corridor safe,” the Wildfire Service added.

It also said an Incident Management Team – based out of Hope – has also assumed command of the fire. A fire camp will be set up in Boston Bar to the south, which is one of the several communities on evacuation alert.

The lightning-caused Kookipi Creek fire has been burning since July 8.

Elsewhere in the Fraser Canyon, increased fire behaviour on the northern flank of the Stein Mountain Fire, north of Lytton, led to expanded evacuation orders from the Lytton First Nation.

This lightning-caused Stein Mountain fire has been burning since July 12.