More properties on evacuation order east of Ashcroft, B.C., but danger to village 'minimal'
An evacuation alert has been upgraded to an order for dozens of properties southeast of Ashcroft, B.C., but officials say the threat to the village itself remains minimal.
The order from the Thompson-Nicola Regional District affects 60 properties in Electoral Area I, which are being threatened by the Tremont Creek wildfire.
Residents of the addresses listed in the order, as well as any other properties shown on the map the district published alongside it, are required to leave the area immediately.
"Emergency Support Services will only be provided if your primary residence is one of the properties under evacuation order," the district says in its order.
Those who meet that criteria are asked to report to the Salvation Army Building at 1480 Sutherland Ave. in Kelowna.
The Tremont Creek fire has been burning since July 12, and currently covers approximately 5,000 hectares, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
The blaze is considered "out of control" and has led to evacuation alerts for the Village of Ashcroft and the Ashcroft Indian Band, as well as several neighbouring areas.
Evacuation orders were already in place for 50 other properties in Electoral Area I because of the Tremont Creek fire, and several nearby areas have been evacuated due to the Sparks Lake fire, to the northeast.
The Tremont Creek fire is part of the Lytton Creek fire complex, which also includes the Lytton Creek and George Road fires, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
There were 40 firefighters, five helicopters and seven pieces of heavy equipment battling the blaze as of the most recent update on Sunday morning.
In a communication bulletin published Sunday, the Village of Ashcroft said the fire had been moving east, away from the village, adding that the current threat to the village is "minimal."
Ashcroft Mayor Barbara Roden told CTV News the village has been working hard to ensure timely, accurate communication with residents about the wildfire situation in the region, as well as to reassure them in the face of a stressful situation.
Roden said the wildfire season has, so far, been reminiscent of the 2017 season, during which the Elephant Hill fire forced thousands in the area - including the entire nearby village of Cache Creek - to evacuate.
While that year was defined, locally, by one large fire, this year has seen several fires in the area, including Tremont Creek, Roden said.
"It's right on our doorstep," she said. "That's bringing back a lot of very stressful, very painful memories from 2017 for a lot of people."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.