Two wildfires south of Ashcroft force overnight evacuations
Wildfires south of Ashcroft forced out more than a hundred rural residents Wednesday evening. Cook's Ferry Indian Band ordered evacuations from five of its reserves around 8 p.m., July 17, followed by an evacuation of dozens more rural properties in the Venables Valley area an...
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Wildfires south of Ashcroft forced out more than a hundred rural residents Wednesday evening.
Cook's Ferry Indian Band ordered evacuations from five of its reserves around 8 p.m., July 17, followed by an evacuation of dozens more rural properties in the Venables Valley area an hour later.
That's due to the Teit Creek and Shetland Creek wildfires, estimated at 249 and 285 hectares, respectively, as of Wednesday night. Both were caused by lightning and discovered late last week, according to BC Wildfire Service.
BC Wildfire Service fire information officers were unavailable to provide updates on the fires as of 8 a.m., but there are currently no known structure losses as crews attempt to get control of both fires.
The Shetland Creek wildfire had 10 wildfire personnel on the ground working overnight. On Wednesday, there were two bulldozers, two excavators and three water tenders at the scene, along with a structure protection unit. Five helicopters are bucketing water on both the Shetland Creek wildfire and Teit Creek, roughly four kilometres south.
Only aerial firefighting has been used so far at Teit Creek because of the steep terrain, according to wildfire service.
Evacuees are advised to report to Emergency Support Services at the Cache Creek community hall at 1270 Stage Road.
Along with those ordered to evacuate, there are more properties in the area that are on alert.
Go here for more information on Cook's Ferry evacuation orders and alerts
https://www.emergencyinfobc.gov.bc.ca/
, and here for Thompson Nicola Regional District emergency info.
https://eoc.tnrd.ca/
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