Image Credit: Facebook / Ashcroft Fire Rescue

By James Peters

Shetland Creek Wildfire

Calmer winds quiet Shetland Creek fire behaviour

Jul 20, 2024 | 8:20 PM

ASHCROFT, B.C. — Updates provided by municipal authorities in the villages of Ashcroft and Cache Creek Saturday (July 20) lend some reasons for hope in the fight against the Shetland Creek wildfire.

The fire grew again overnight Friday to Saturday. It is now mapped at 14,785 hectares.

However, both the Village of Cache Creek and the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) indicate winds were forecast to calm for much of the day Saturday. BCWS said there may still be extreme fire behaviour Saturday afternoon, but it would likely be in the upper slope regions of the fire’s north flank.

A Voyent Alert! message from Cache Creek indicated no new evacuation alerts or orders are anticipated in the immediate future.

Meantime, in a social media post, Ashcroft Fire Rescue indicated its volunteers have been patrolling Hat Creek Road on the southern village boundary, saying the fire has not crossed that road or the Trans Canada Highway.

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The fire department says it is paying special attention to Ashcroft Ranch, the location of the closest structures to the flame front. The department says it will coordinate with firefighters from Cache Creek, local ranchers and Ashcroft Indian Band members in an effort to ensure structures remain untouched by the flames.

Extreme heat is forecast for Saturday once again, with lighter winds.

A travel advisory is in place for the Trans Canada Highway from Ashcroft to Spences Bridge, but the route remains open.