The number of out-of-control wildfires continues to drop in British Columbia on the heels of a cold front bringing rain and fall-like temperatures to many areas. A wildfire, designated V12286 by the B.C. Wildfire Service, is seen burning near Mt. Widdess, B.C., in an Aug. 19, 2024, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-B.C. Wildfire Service, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has lifted its final evacuation orders due to the Shetland Creek wildfire in British Columbia’s southern Interior.
A bulletin from the district says the all-clear notice affects 12 properties in the Venables Valley area between Ashcroft and Spences Bridge, B.C.
The fire that’s now classified as “being held” within its current or predetermined perimeter was discovered July 12 and grew quickly, prompting the district to issue evacuation orders covering about 100 properties over the next few days.
The BC Wildfire Service says the 279-square-kilometre fire is displaying “stable” activity and crews will continue to tackle hot spots wherever they’re accessible.
The number of out-of-control wildfires continues to drop across the province on the heels of a cold front bringing rain and fall-like temperatures to many areas.
B.C. has just over 270 active blazes with 15 per cent or about 40 of those fires classified as burning out of control.
That’s down from more than 100 out-of-control fires last week.
None of the current blazes are considered “wildfires of note,” a designation issued when a fire is highly visible or poses a threat to people or infrastructure.
B.C. government officials are set to provide an update on the wildfire and drought situation in the province later Wednesday.
Campfire bans were set to lift in many regions starting at noon, though other kinds of open burning continue to be prohibited in most areas and the wildfire service is urging people to stay diligent in controlling their campfires.
Anyone lighting a campfire must maintain a fireguard by removing flammable debris, they must have sufficient water available to douse the fire, and they must never leave the flames unattended, the service says in a social media post.
A campfire is any fire that’s no larger than 0.5 metres high by 0.5 metres wide. Anything larger is considered a Category 2 open fire.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 28, 2024.
