TNRD and Coldwater Indian Band downgrade evacuation response near Ainslie Creek wildfire

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and the Coldwater Indian Band (CIB) have downgraded their evacuation alerts and orders near the Ainslie Creek wildfire.

The TNRD said people in about 58 addressed properties can return home, but must remain vigilant as the evacuation order has been downgraded to an alert. This includes:

• 240 to 280 Busby Rd;
• 2060 to 2140 Suttie Rd;
• 233 to 333 Gillis Rd;
• 1020 to 3505 Coldwater Rd S;
• 964 to 1627 Covert Pl;
• 1409 to 1485 Boston Bar Trail;
• 921, 990, 2105, 2700 and 2725 Patchett Rd;
• 2141 to 2581 Peterson Rd; and
• Any other areas as outlined on the attached map.

“An Evacuation Alert is now in place for approximately 248 addressed properties in TNRD Electoral Area ‘N’ (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South),” said the TNRD.

“This Evacuation Alert is in place to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an Evacuation Order; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.”

The TNRD has also given the ‘all clear’ for about 94 addressed properties, including Brookmere and properties on Kane Valley Road east of the Coquihalla Highway in Electoral Area “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South). This includes:

• 5815 Brookmere Rd;
• 872 to 933 Brookmere Station Rd;
• 905 to 920 Caboose Lane;
• 5340 to 5633 Coldwater Rd S;
• 5135 to 5147 Conductor Way;
• 5120 to 5132 Engineer Ave;
• 3040 to 3097 Figlenski Rd;
• 3765 Iron Mountain Rd;
• 440 to 2985 Kane Valley Rd;
• 5101 to 5152 Railway Dr;
• 852 to 1016 Roundhouse Dr; and
• Any other areas as outlined on the attached map.

The TNRD said evacuation orders or alerts could be re-issues if needed.

Meantime, the CIB will allow residents in Paul’s Basin IR No. 2 to return home under an evacuation alert after the order was lifted at noon on Saturday (Aug. 29).

This comes as precipitation, cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity has been helping BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews battling the 67,722.48-hectare Ainslie Creek wildfire.

“Rain fell over the southern part of the complex overnight with some sites receiving up to nine millimetres.  Rain is expected to continue over the complex this morning (Aug. 29) with varying amounts of two to five millimetres,” said the BCWS.

“The rain will lower fire behaviour in the short term but there is no ‘fire ending’ rain in the weather models at this time.”

While the rain is helping, the BCWS expects the fire to continue burning for several more months.

“Fire activity will likely occur in the interior of the wildfire perimeter until winter due to the extreme drought conditions across most of the trees and soil this wildfire is burning in,” said the BCWS.

“Fire Behaviour Specialists have been conducting wood and soil sampling in the field. Despite the rain and due to the extreme drought conditions moisture content remains very low.”

In the northeast flank of the fire, near Prospect Creek Forest Service Road, chews are working to remove danger trees along access roads, shore up containment lies and snuff out hot spots.

On the eastern flank of the fire, near Uztlius Creek, South of Spius Creek, structure protection crews are demobilizing equipment as crews work to extinguish any flames and hot spots.

“Crews continue working along the Maka Creek extinguishing hotspots identified from scans, working from North to South,” said the BCWS.

“West of the Maka-Murray area, crews have achieved 50 to 100 foot extinguishment. In the Spius Creek area crews continue direct attack on the fire and working towards 50ft extinguishment. Aviation will continue to support suppression efforts as required.”

The BCWS has 261 firefighting personnel, 14 helicopters, 18 pieces of heavy equipment and 27 structural protection personnel assigned to the Brunswick Complex.