Evacuation alerts for wildfire near Lytton, B.C.

The BC Wildfire Service says a blaze sparked Wednesday in the Fraser Canyon has charred nearly one square kilometre of bush south of Lytton.

The wildfire service says the out-of-control fire is burning in steep terrain on the east side of Highway 1.

Evacuation alerts have been issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and the Lytton First Nation, covering about 18 properties south and east of Lytton.

A three-member crew kept watch on the flames overnight and more than 50 firefighters, backed by helicopters and heavy equipment are assigned during daylight hours.

A cause remains under investigation.

The smoky fire has prompted an air quality statement from Environment Canada, with heavy smoke likely between Lytton and Spences Bridge and visible as far away Kamloops.

Rankings from the wildfire service show wildfire danger around Lytton is moderate to high, meaning forest fuels are drying or very dry, creating a serious risk.

The weather office is calling for temperatures in the high 20s to low 30s for the next week, with winds gusting to 50 km/h Friday and Saturday and only a 40 per cent chance of showers in the area on Saturday night.