Find the July 24 updates on the Shetland Creek fire at this link.
(UPDATE: July 23 @ 11 am) – The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) says 20 structures in the Venables Valley have been damaged by the Shetland Creek Wildfire.
Late Monday night, the TNRD said preliminary damage assessments had been done over the weekend and as of Sunday, there are “confirmed impacts on slightly over 20 structures, six of which have been identified as primary residences.”
The TNRD explains that these assessments are preliminary due to the continued wildfire activity.
Around 97 TNRD properties remain on evacuation order and another 213 remain on evacuation alert within the TNRD Electoral Area I (Blue Sky Country), the Village of Ashcroft and Spences Bridge. For the most up to date information, visit the TNRD’s Emergency Operations website.
There are also Evacuations Orders and/or Alerts in place for a number of neighbouring jurisdictions of the TNRD, including the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band and Ashcroft Indian Band.
Hwy 1 between Ashcroft and Spences Bridge remains closed.
As of Tuesday morning, the Shetland Creek wildfire remains estimated at 19,941 hectares.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) expects to see another hot and dry day with windy conditions.
“Winds will be predominantly south southwesterly, approximately 10 to 15 km/hr with gusts up to 30 km/hr,” says an update from the BCWS.
“Temperatures will remain in the 30's with relative humidity values in the high teens for the afternoon. Medium range spotting may be seen with forecasted winds and as fuels remain dry and susceptible for ignition.”
Another wildfire north of Shetland Creek has prompted evacuation alerts for two properties west of Cache Creek.
The fire, located near Finney Creek off Hwy 99 and near Upper Hat Creek, was discovered late Monday night and has grown to 10 hectares.
Wildfire K21436 is suspected to be human caused.
There are 156 firefighters working on Shetland Creek alongside 27 pieces of heavy equipment, nine helicopters, three line locators, and multiple structure protection personnel.
(UPDATE: July 22 @ 2:30 pm) – An afternoon update from the BC Wildfire Service says the Shetland Creek wildfire is now approaching the 20,000 hectare mark.
As of 1:45 pm, the fire is estimated to be 19,941 hectares.
The BCWS is expecting hot, dry and windy conditions to continue on Monday, which continues to contribute to “medium range” spotting.
There are 136 firefighters, 26 pieces of heavy equipment and 12 helicopters responding to this wildfire.
Highway 1 remains closed between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft.
The District of Logan Lake issued an evacuation order for the Highland Valley Copper area, which means anyone in the order must leave immediately.
The mine itself is not being evacuated nor is it on alert at this time.
Evacuation orders for 97 properties and evacuation alerts for 213 properties issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District remain in place.
Some properties north of Cache Creek also remain on alert.
The Village of Ashcroft remains on evacuation alert.
“In the event that Ashcroft is placed on evacuation order, residents will be notified by Voyent Alert, social media, Website, Bulletin boards at Post Office and most importantly you will be notified in person as we will conduct a door to door notification,” says a July 22 community communication bulletin.
As of 2 pm on Monday, there has been no change to the evacuation alert that was issued for the Ashcroft Indian Band, which was issued on July 18.
The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band, closer to Spences Bridge, ordered an additional Evacuation Orders for Cook's Ferry reserves on the East side of the Thompson River (9, 10, 11, 11a, and 20) as well as IR 3 at the base of Arthur's Seat on Sunday afternoon. All other alerts remain in place, however.
(UPDATE: July 22 @ 5:07 am) – The Shetland Creek wildfire has grown again.
It's now estimated to be 17,266 hectares in size.
BC Wildfire Service posted that estimate online late last night.
It remains out of control.
The fire also forced the closure of Hwy 1 between Ashcroft and Spences Bridge.
BC Wildfire Service said it called for the closure due to "highly vigorous surface fire" near the road.
Last night, it said 120 firefighters were battling the blaze.
(UPDATE: July 21 @ 10:00 am) – The weather continues to not be on the side of first responders battling the Shetland Creek wildfire as conditions are hotter and drier than yesterday.
The forecast will result in “aggressive burning conditions with increased fire behaviour” from the 14,830-hectare blaze, said the BC Wildfire Service.
“Last night, a 23-person unit crew was engaged in structure protection night operations working in the Venables Valley and along the Oregon Jack Road to monitor and protect identified values,” wrote the BCWS.
“Crews will continue to work alongside structure protection personnel to maintain structure protection apparatus in the vicinity of the Venables Valley and along the Oregon Jack Road.”
The BCWS added that structure protection specialists are working in the southern part of Hat Creek Valley to install and maintain structure protection equipment.
Heavy machinery is continuing to construct a guard to keep the fire east of Hat Creek Valley and construction is ongoing in building a guard above the community of Spences Bridge.
(UPDATE: July 20 @ noon) – The fight to contain the Shetland Creek wildfire continues to be an uphill battle as the BC Wildfire Service stated Saturday’s forecast is expected to be “hotter and drier than yesterday, which will result in aggressive burning conditions with increased fire behaviour.”
According to the most recent size update from late this morning, the fire is currently 13,236.1 hectares and continues to be a wildfire of note, meaning it poses a potential threat to public safety.
“With the reduction in wind speeds, a reduction in the rates of spread will be present in the morning,” wrote the BCWS as the blaze saw less overnight and early morning winds.
“The afternoon period will still cater to extreme fire behaviour, particularly in the upper slope regions of the north flank as the smoke clears.”
Last night, a 23-person unit crew along with a pair of initial attack crews, structure protection personnel and a helicopter engaged in night operations in the Venables Valley and along Oregon Jack Road.
Crews remained on site overnight to douse hot spots over the Oregon Jack Road and reinforce containment lines in the Venables Valley community.
“On the south flank of the fire, operations are ongoing as crews are supporting heavy equipment operations as they construct contingency guards along Murry Creek and East Murry Creek, connecting to Rannie Pit Road above the community of Spences Bridge,” added the BCWS.
A travel advisory is in place along Hwy 1 between Ashcroft and Spences Birdges as wildfire activity may cause the highway to close on short notice.
Up-to-date road conditions can be found online at this link.
(UPDATE: July 19 @ 4:10 pm) – Interior Health (IH) is preparing to evacuate a small group of long-term care home residents due to the Shetland Creek wildfire.
According to IH, the relocation of 21 residents from Jackson House long-term care home and five clients from Thompson View Lodge assisted living facility is a “precautionary measure.”
The 26 people will be moved to alternate locations away from the fire-impacted area.
A news release says IH is contacting families directly and providing updates to each family.
Interior Health is also working with all community clients to make plans for them to have access to the services they need should they need to evacuate.
The Ashcroft Urgent and Primary Care Centre (UPCC) is not impacted, as of 4 pm on Friday, and anyone needing care can proceed to the centre as needed.
Regular hours are UPCC 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week.
The BC Wildfire Service has not provided an update on the size of the Shetland Creek wildfire and it remains estimated at 13,236 hectares.
(UPDATE: July 19 @ 2:40 pm) – The Village of Ashcroft has issued an evacuation alert for the entire village due to the Shetland Creek wildfire.
This means that “anyone in the affected area must be ready to leave on short notice,” the Village says.
(UPDATE: July 19 @ 2 pm) – The Shetland Creek wildfire burning south of Ashcroft has ballooned to an estimated 13,236 hectares Friday afternoon.
That is an increase of over 830 hectares since the update provided around 9 am on Friday.
With hot, dry and windy conditions expected in the region, the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said this type of growth was expected.
“Winds will remain dry and temperatures will remain in the high 30's with relative humidity values in the low teens for the afternoon. Medium range spotting will continue with forecasted winds and as fuels remain dry and susceptible for ignition,” the BCWS said in an update.
Around 1 pm on Friday, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) expanded more evacuation orders and alerts.
Three more properties, including the Ashcroft Manor, have been ordered to leave immediately, which brings the total number of properties on evacuation order to 88.
The evacuation alert has been expanded to cover approximately 222 properties.
That includes all addressed properties along Highway 1 including the community of Spences Bridge, some properties north to the Village of Cache Creek, and some TNRD properties surrounding the Village of Ashcroft.
The two villages are not under evacuation alert at this time, only properties on the outskirts.
The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band has several evacuation orders and alerts in place and the Ashcroft Indian Band is on evacuation alert.
There is now a travel advisory for Highway 1 between Ashcroft and Spences Bridge.
DriveBC says the wildfire activity may cause the highway to close on short notice.
(UPDATE: July 19 @ 9:30 am) – The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the Shetland Creek wildfire, the province’s one wildfire of note, is now estimated at 12,402 hectares.
That is from the latest update provided at 8:51 am on Friday, which attributes the new size to a "combination of significant overnight growth and more accurate mapping."
The BCWS says spotting was seen 500 metres to one kilometre from the head of the fire in the White Mountain area on Thursday and that is expected to continue on Friday.
"Today, July 19, conditions will continue to be hot, dry and windy, which will result in aggressive burning conditions with increased fire behaviour," the BCWS says.
"Substantial growth potential is present today. Wind speeds will range from south-southwesterly 15-20km/hr with gusts of 50km/hr, especially in the upper slope regions of the fire."
Two initial attack crews, a structure protection engine and a wildfire officer worked overnight to install and maintain structure protection equipment throughout Venables Valley and the surrounding company.
According to the latest information from the BCWS, there are 71 firefighters responding to the fire alongside 15 pieces of heavy equipment, six helicopters and two line locators.
There are two structure protection specialists and eight structure protection personnel, one Type 1 and Type 2 structure protection trailer, 2 Type 5 structure protection engines and Type 2 water tenders assigned to this fire.
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As of Friday morning, there are 85 properties on evacuation order, which includes all addressed properties in Venables and up to Hat Creek Road, east of Oregon Jack Park.
There are approximately 170 properties on evacuation alert, including all addressed properties from Spences Bridge to the border of the Ashcroft Ranch.
As of 9 am, no changes have been made to evacuation orders or alerts issued by the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band for their reserves. More information can be found on the First Nation’s Facebook,
A state of local emergency remains in place for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District’s Electoral Area I (Blue Sky Country).
There are over 250 wildfires burning across BC with 82 new fires started in the past 24 hours.
“The fire danger rating remains moderate to high across B.C after unstable, hot and dry weather conditions,” the BCWS said in a provincial update Thursday evening.
“The province will continue to experience some instability with isolated thunderstorms with dry lighting and minimal precipitation.”
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(UPDATE: July 19 @ 6:15 am) – The fire has now grown to 5,750 hectares, according to the latest update from BC Wildfire Service.
It remains out of control.
Firefighters believe it was caused by lightning.
(UPDATE: July 18 @ 6:50 pm) – The Cook’s Ferry Indian Band has now expanded evacuation orders and alerts due to the Shetland Creek wildfire.
Evacuation orders have been expanded to include reserves #5, 5A, 6, 8A, 18, 19 and 22.
This means residents on these reserves must leave immediately due to the risk of the wildfire.
Evacuation alerts have been expanded to include Alerts for several reserves including 1, 3, 4, 4A, 4B, 4C, 8, 9, 10, 11, 11A, 16, 17, 19 and 20.
This means residents on these reserves should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
More resources and information can be found on the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band’s Facebook page.
Below is the latest information shared from the First Nation.
In the previous version of this story below, updated at 6 pm, is the latest information from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.
(UPDATE: July 18 @ 6 pm) – The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has expanded evacuation orders and alerts due to the Shetland Creek wildfire, which is burning between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft.
As of 4 pm, existing evacuation orders have been expanded to include an additional nine properties to include portions of Hat Creek Road.
The total number of properties under evacuation order, which means residents must leave immediately, is at 85.
Existing evacuations alerts have been expanded to cover approximately 170 properties including Spences Bridge, areas Hwy 1 and upper Hat Creek.
That includes "all addressed properties from Spences Bridge to the border of the Ashcroft Ranch," says the TNRD.
“Anyone in the affected area must be ready to leave on short notice."
As of 6 pm, the Shetland Creek wildfire remained estimated at 4,989 hectares.
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire remains out of control.
(UPDATE: July 18 @ 1:45 pm) – The BC Wildfire Service says the Shetland Creek wildfire, which is burning between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft, has grown to nearly 5,000 hectares.
As of mid-day Thursday, the fire is now estimated at 4,989 hectares and is now classed as a wildfire of note.
That means it “is highly visible or poses a potential threat to public safety.”
The massive wildfire, which is the result of the Shetland Creek and Teit Creek wildfire merging overnight July 17, was just estimated at 4,125 hectares Thursday morning.
According to the BCWS, the growth is due to sustained winds on Wednesday and “prolonged dry fuels.”
The fire continues to burn out of control 7.5 kilometres north of Spences Bridge, however, the BCWS says the fire is burning “in a northeasterly direction.”
“Fire behaviour yesterday afternoon rapidly increased to rank 4 and 5, meaning an extremely vigorous surface fire or active crown fire with torching and moderate to long-range spotting, and independent spot fire growth.” the BCWS says.
“Increased fire behaviour and additional fire growth is expected over the coming days.”
The BCWS says it will continue to work closely with the Cook's Ferry Indian Band and Thompson Nicola Regional District, which have both issued evacuation orders and alerts.
To view TNRD evacuation orders and alerts, click here. Evacuation orders and alert updates are available on the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band’s Facebook page.
(Original story: July 18 @ 9:38 am) – A wildfire burning between Spences Bridge and Ashcroft has now grown to over 4,000 hectares.
Two wildfires (formerly K70910 and K70913) are now being treated as one wildfire, which is being called the Shetland Creek fire.
Around 7:30 pm on Wednesday, the Cooks Ferry Indian Band reported an increase in wildfire activity and ordered an expanded evacuation order shortly after that.
The First Nation’s reserves 5, 6, 8A, 19 and 22 were added to an existing evacuation order, which was already included reserve #6 – Nicoelton.
This means all evacuees must keep out of the evacuation ordered area and if they are in the area, they must leave immediately.
A new evacuation alerts was issued for reserves #5A, 8, 9, 11, 11A, 18 and 20.
This means anyone in those areas “should stay alert and prepare to leave at a moment’s notice.”
Shortly after 12:30 am, no new evacuation orders or alerts were issued and Spences Bridge remained “okay.”
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) also issued orders and alerts for properties adjacent to Hwy 1 between Spences Bridge and the village of Ashcroft.
Twenty-five properties in the TNRD’s electoral area I (Blue Sky) are under an evacuation alert.
A total of 76 properties in the same area are under evacuation order.
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the 4,125-hectare wildfire remains about 7.5 kilometres north of the community.
A “modified response” to the wildfire has changed to a “full response” and includes 10 BCWS personnel who worked overnight alongside five helicopters, two bulldozers, two excavators and three water tenders.
The Ashcroft and Cache Creek fire departments have both said they are on standby and monitoring the situation.
"Ashcroft fire recognizes that this is a particularly stressful time. Stay calm, breathe, and be supportive to one another,"said the Ashcroft Fire Rescue in a Facebook post late Wednesday night.
"If you have been a long time resident of Ashcroft you will remember that this is not the first time we have had ash rain down if our community, nor will it be the last."
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