New evacuation alerts issued as crews battling the Ainslie Creek wildfire get assistance from the weather

A handful of new evacuation alerts were issued in response to the massive Ainslie Creek wildfire.

On Tuesday (Aug. 11), the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) added approximately two properties to its evacuation alert: 6705 Juliet Dr. and 2425 Upper Coldwater Rd. In total, residents in nearly 842 addressed properties within Electoral Areas “I” (Blue Sky Country), “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – North) and “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South) must be ready to evacuate on very short notice.

The TNRD has expanded its evacuation order and alert area over the past few days due to the Ainslie Creek wildfire.

Further south, the Fraser Valley Regional District issued an evacuation alert for the Coquihalla Lakes Lodge property at 36500 Coquihalla Lakes Rd., along with any other properties outlined in yellow in the attached map.

The Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) issued an evacuation order for Speous IR No. 8 – 2280 Sunshine Valley Rd. Affected members are asked to attend McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre in Kamloops.

Additionally, the LNIB issued an evacuation alert for Nicola Mameet IR No. 1 and Joeyaska IR No. 2 (Godey) while Cook’s Ferry Indian Band issued an evacuation alert for Klokowuck IR No. 7 and Antko IR No. 21.

In its latest update Tuesday night, the BC Wildfire Service says fire activity at the Ainslie Creek wildfire site was reduced throughout the day due to improved temperature and humidity.

While the northeast flank grew within two kilometres of the control lines and Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge, the wildfire service says growth stopped before midnight. As of publication, Highway 8 remains open.

“This afternoon crews conducted a small hand ignition at the head of the fire (northeast) to remove fuels between the fire’s edge and the guard and therefore reduce the risk of the fire spotting over to structures and Highway 8. Supported by holding crews and helicopters this operation was successful,” the wildfire service states.

Structure protection crews are continuing to assess and work further from the southeast flank of the fire to the east into the Coldwater and Kingsvale area.

The Ainslie Creek wildfire, measured at around 61,399.18 hectares in size, is suspected to be human caused. The wildfire service 236 firefighters and 76 structure protection personnel are assigned to the Brunswick Complex. They’re accompanied by 59 pieces of heavy equipment, 19 helicopters and an incident management team.

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