After a week of decreased activity, Shetland Creek wildfire prompts new evacuation alert in B.C. Interior
After more than a week of mostly scaling back evacuation orders and alerts related to the Shetland Creek wildfire, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District changed course Saturday.
The district issued a new evacuation alert covering 54 addressed properties in the Botanie Valley area southwest of the blaze, which has been one of the most destructive in the province in terms of structures damaged so far this year.
The expanded evacuation alert comes as the B.C. Wildfire Service notes "significantly" increased fire behaviour on the Shetland Creek blaze's southwestern flank.
In a video update shared Friday evening, BCWS deputy incident commander Dimitri Vaisius said favourable weather conditions helped firefighters earlier in the week, but hot, dry conditions over the long weekend could worsen the situation.
"People got pretty used to seeing less fire activity, especially from Highway 1," Vaisius said.
"So, it appeared that there was a big downturn. It appeared that things were going well. That's still the case along the east side, but I really want to emphasize that we have a lot of summer ahead of us. This fire is waking back up right now."
Discovered on July 12, the Shetland Creek wildfire quickly grew to threaten communities along Highway 1 between Ashcroft and Spences Bridge.
The blaze destroyed roughly half a dozen homes and 20 other buildings in the off-grid community of Venables Valley, but calmed down enough this week that some evacuees were able to return to get a look at the devastation.
- Read more: 'It's horrific': Evacuees get first look at devastation from wildfire in small B.C. community
As of Saturday afternoon, the Shetland Creek fire was estimated at more than 250 square kilometres. There were 214 personnel, including 165 firefighters, responding to the blaze, according to the BCWS.
As of Saturday evening, there were 327 active wildfires burning in the province, with 13 of those sparked in the last 24 hours.
In its daily situation report, the wildfire service said the hot temperatures would impact fire conditions Saturday and Sunday, along with dry air and increasing winds. It warned of possible dry lightning and strong winds in the southern third of B.C.
It also said smoke from wildfires burning in the U.S. is expected to enter B.C. over the weekend.
“B.C. residents are advised to exercise an abundance of caution while traveling and recreating this weekend,” the BCWS wrote Saturday. “Wildfire crews will be busy responding to potential new fire starts as well as managing existing fires across the province. We urge B.C. residents to play their part by being aware and prepared should nearby conditions change.”
With files from CTV News Vancouver's Michele Brunoro and Kaija Jussinoja
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Air Canada begins preparations for shutdown as union talks near impasse
Air Canada is finalizing contingency plans to suspend most of its operations as talks with the pilot union are near an impasse, the country's largest airline said on Monday.
Former fashion tycoon Peter Nygard's long-delayed sentencing expected today
Former fashion mogul Peter Nygard is expected to be sentenced for his sexual assault convictions today, after multiple delays in the case that have stretched for months.
Justin Trudeau may be in for an earful as he meets with caucus in B.C.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau may be bracing for an earful from his caucus when Liberal MPs gather in Nanaimo, B.C. today to plot their strategy for the coming election year.
Israeli strikes in Syria leave 14 dead and more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media says
The number of people killed in overnight Israeli strikes in Syria has risen to 14 with more than 40 wounded, Syrian state media said Monday morning.
Apple's upcoming iPhone will catapult the tech trendsetter into the age of AI
Apple's ubiquitous iPhone is about to break new ground with a shift into artificial intelligence that will do everything from smartening up its frequently dim-witted assistant Siri to creating customized emojis on the fly.
Canadian Medical Association calls for more tracking of health-care funds
The Canadian Medical Association says there should be better tracking of health-care spending, following health-care agreements the federal government has signed with the provinces and territories.
Trial begins over Texas 'Trump Train' highway confrontation
A federal trial is set to begin Monday over claims that supporters of former U.S. president Donald Trump threatened and harassed a Biden-Harris campaign bus in Texas four years ago, disrupting the campaign on the last day of early voting.
'Shogun' wins record-breaking 14 Emmys at Creative Arts ceremony as Jamie Lee Curtis gets her first
'Shogun' won the most Emmys ever for a single season of a television series with 14 at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Sunday night, while 'The Bear' won seven including best guest actress in a comedy series for Jamie Lee Curtis.
'Beautiful in its own way': New forest emerges in Jasper National Park, bringing protection and new opportunities
Charred stumps and the remains of fire-ravaged trees still cover large tracts of land on the Jasper landscape, but life is returning quickly down below.