District gives 'all clear,' rescinds evacuation alert due to Shetland Creek wildfire
An all-clear notice has been given for most residents placed on evacuation alert or forced from their homes in B.C.'s southern Interior due to a wildfire that was sparked more than a month ago.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has lifted an evacuation alert for about 80 properties along Hat Creek Road, northeast of Lillooet, B.C., and in the Venables Valley area between the communities of Spences Bridge and Ashcroft.
The Shetland Creek wildfire destroyed at least 20 structures, six of which were homes in the Venables Valley in the days after the blaze was first reported on July 12.
The fire is still classified as out of control and has burned 280 square kilometres of forested land on rural properties on the western side of the Thompson River.
The blaze is one of four wildfires "of note" in the province, meaning it's highly visible or poses a threat to public safety and infrastructure.
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is most active on its southwest corner, where groundcrews are getting support from helicopters and heavy equipment.
Dave MacKinnon is with the wildfire service team tackling the Shetland Creek blaze and says they're feeling "really good" about containment work on the eastern and northern flanks of the fire, where they're "not expecting any further growth."
The number of active wildfires in B.C. is ticking down again after surging over 400.
About 150 of the roughly 390 active blazes are classified as burning out of control.
The BC Wildfire Service says shifting weather systems are bringing cooler temperatures along with the risk of thunderstorms to the central and southern Interior.
Warmer, drier conditions are meanwhile expected to persist in the Okanagan and northwest corner of the province, with daily highs in the 30s.
Despite the changing weather, the service says forest fuels remain dry in many parts of the province, and campfires continue to be prohibited across B.C. with the exception of the Prince George Fire Centre and small area in the northwest.
— With files from CHNL
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden delivers remarks following Trump's win
U.S. President Joe Biden delivered remarks to the nation Thursday in what was his first appearance on camera following Donald Trump’s decisive victory over Kamala Harris.
New DNA evidence rewrites long-told stories of people in ancient Pompeii
When a volcanic eruption buried the ancient city of Pompeii, the last desperate moments of its citizens were preserved in stone for centuries.
PM Trudeau revives Canada-U.S. relations cabinet committee after Trump win
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is reviving a special cabinet committee dedicated to Canada-U.S. relations, following Republican Donald Trump's re-election.
The world's 10 richest people got a record US$64 billion richer from Trump's re-election
Wednesday wasn't just a good day for Donald Trump. The wealth of the world’s 10 richest people also soared by a record amount, according to Bloomberg’s Billionaire Index.
Police in southern Mexico find 11 bodies, including two of minors, dumped by a highway
Police in a southern Mexico region rife with drug cartel violence have found 11 bodies, including two of minors, dumped by a highway, prosecutors in the state of Guerrero said Thursday.
Video shows suspect shooting man inside Markham, Ont. garage
Police have released video footage showing a suspect shooting a man inside a Markham garage in broad daylight on Wednesday afternoon.
Wayne Gretzky, Elon Musk and a few pro golfers: Here's who attended Trump's victory party
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump welcomed a variety of attendees at his victory celebrations in Florida this week, from his family, supporters and political allies to a selection of high-profile figures.
Who ruined Hobo Hot Springs? Ministry investigates as mystery roils Harrison, B.C.
The steaming waters in the Village of Harrison Hot Springs, 130 kilometres east of Vancouver, could once be enjoyed in pools known as the Hobo Hot Springs for free — unlike the neighbouring Harrison Hot Springs Resort where users of its pools must be resort guests.
43 monkeys escape from a South Carolina medical lab. Police say there is no serious danger
Forty-three monkeys escaped from a compound used for medical research in South Carolina but the nearby police chief said there is "almost no danger" to the public.