TNRD downgrades evacuation order for Lower Nicola-area properties impacted by wildfire

Residents of multiple properties within the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) who had to evacuate due to the Ainslie Creek wildfire near Boston Bar are able to return home.

Effective at 5:00 p.m. Sunday (Aug. 2), the TNRD says an evacuation order has been downgraded to an evacuation alert for properties in Lower Nicola, Canford, Sunshine Valley and West of Spius Creek, including Petit Creek Road and Prospect Creek FSR.

In total, the TNRD says 708 addressed properties in Electoral Areas “I” (Blue Sky Country) and “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – North) are under evacuation alert.

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 after 5:00 p.m. Sunday, the BC Wildfire Service says the Ainslie Creek wildfire within the Brunswick Complex is measured at around 40,118 hectares in size.

The Brunswick Complex of wildfires near Boston Bar has triggered evacuation orders and alerts from the TNRD, 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.