TNRD expands evacuation alert area for Ainslie Creek wildfire

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) expanded its evacuation alert area west of Merritt due to the Ainslie Creek wildfire.

Effective Friday (July 24) at 10:00 a.m., the TNRD says 49 additional addressed properties have been placed on evacuation alert. They include:

• 1409 to 1485 Boston Bar Trail;
• 240 and 280 Busby Rd.;
• 2545 to 3121 Coldwater Rd. S;
• 964 to 1627 Covert Pl.;
• 233 to 333 Gillis Rd.;
• 5277 to 6020 Manning Creek FSR;
• 2700 and 2725 Patchett Rd.;
• 2141 to 2581 Peterson Rd.; and
• any other areas as outlined on the above map

In total, 110 addressed properties in Electoral Areas “I” (Blue Sky Country) and “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South) are on evacuation alert. Around 61 properties in areas west of Spius Creek, including Petit Creek and Prospect Creek FSR, were already impacted.

More details on the evacuation alert can be found here.

The TNRD says the evacuation alert is in place to prepare residents to evacuate their premises or property should it be found necessary. While residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an evacuation order, the TNRD says they may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.

As of its latest update shortly before 9:00 p.m. Thursday, the BC Wildfire Service says the Ainslie Creek wildfire within the Brunswick Complex is measured at around 17,298.5 hectares in size. However, the service adds that fire has merged with the Anderson Creek wildfire, which is measured at around 5,711.9 hectares.

An updated perimeter isn’t available yet, but it’s expected given the merging of the two fires.

The Brunswick Complex of wildfires near Boston Bar has triggered evacuation orders and alerts from the Fraser Valley Regional District and multiple nearby First Nations. It also caused the closure of the Trans Canada Highway through the Boston Bar area.