TNRD issues evacuation orders, alerts due to Mine Creek fire near Coquihalla

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has issued an evacuation order and an evacuation alert in connection with the Mine Creek wildfire.

The evacuation order covers one property – 6705 Juliet Drive – in Electoral Area “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South). The evacuation alert covers 84 addressed properties in Area “N” including the community of Brookmere.

The TNRD has also activated its Emergency Operations Centre Thursday (Sept. 3) evening in response to the Mine Creek fire.

“The TNRD is in contact with the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) and other external agencies, and more information will be forthcoming,” a statement from the TNRD said.

The 483 hectare Mine Creek fire has forced the closure of the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt. Video shared on social media appears to show that the fire has jumped the highway.

Drivers heading to or from the Lower Mainland are being told to detour via Highway 1 or Highway 3. Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge is also off limits to commercial vehicles which has been the case for the past few years when either the Coquihalla or the Trans-Canada is closed for any reason.

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Mine Creek fire was burning Rank 5, meaning an extremely vigorous surface fire or active crown fire, with spot fires occurring ahead of the fire.

There are ground and aerial crews – including structural protection teams – responding to this fire.

“Crews will continue to action the fire overnight with the support of a helicopter,” the BC Wildfire Service said.

About 50 BC Hydro customers in the vicinity of the fire are also without power on Wednesday evening because of the fire. You can find updates on the status of the outages here.

For the latest from the BC Wildfire Service, go here. For the latest on evacuation orders and alerts from the TNRD, go here.