Wildfire triggers evacuation alert West of Merritt

Update – 3:40 pm April 20, 2021

Tweeted by the BC Wildfire Service;

The #BCWildfire Service continues to respond to the Petit Creek wildfire (K60293). The fire remains estimated at 100 ha in size. Today, 42 BCWS personnel are onsite along with 2 pieces of heavy equipment and 2 helicopters providing aerial support.

Heavy equipment is constructing guard around the fire perimeter while crews & the helicopters continue with suppression efforts & water delivery.

Today, heavy equipment is continuing to create ground access for crews as well as developing guard on sections of the fire perimeter. Crews are currently performing small scale hand ignitions to remove unburnt fuel between the fire perimeter and control lines as well as constructing hand guard on the southwest perimeter of the fire.

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Update – 2:30 pm April 19, 2021

The BC Wildfire Service has provided an update on the Petit Creek wildfire confirming that the blaze hasn’t grown since yesterday, still measured at 100 hectares.

“Today we have 37 BCWS personnel onsite, as well as two pieces of heavy equipment and two helicopters,” said Fire Information Officer Gagan Lidhran. “Our crews are also performing small-scale hand-ignitions to remove unburnt fuel between the fire perimeter and control lines.”

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The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has issued two evacuation alerts due to wildfires burning in the region.

The first alert is for the community of Canford;

A current wildfire near the community of Canford in Electoral Area “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South) poses a threat to structures and residents at Canford, as shown on the attached map, and as noted below:

• 2757, 2797, 2815, 2861, and 2901 Merritt Spences Bridge Hwy 8.

Because of this, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert for the properties in Canford, effective at 2100 hrs on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

The second alert is for the Miller Estates;

A current wildfire near the community of Miller Estates Subdivision in Electoral Area “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – North) poses a threat to structures and residents at the Miller Estate Subdivision, as shown on the attached map, and as noted below:

• 1101, 1161, 1200, 1581, 1693, 2341, and 2437 Merritt Spences Bridge Hwy 8;
• 1256 – 1852 Miller Road; and
• 2305 Woodward Road.

Because of this, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has issued an Evacuation Alert for the properties in Miller Estates Subdivision, effective at 2100 hrs on Sunday, April 18, 2021.

The BC Wildfire Service has confirmed that the fire is currently estimated at 100 hectares and growth was influenced by winds in the area.

Twenty-three BC Wildfire Service personnel were on-site Sunday with assistance from two helicopters. 

Another crew was working to clear a road into the area for ground crews. Eight personnel remained on the scene overnight.

The wildfire is suspected to be human-caused.