File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Marty Hastings

wildfire season

TNRD looks back on 2024 wildfire season, warns of unstable soil

Oct 8, 2024 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — Thompson Nicola Regional District communications manager Colton Davies spoke to CFJC Today on Tuesday (Oct. 8) to recap the 2024 wildfire season.

The TNRD Emergency Operations Centre was active at full capacity for 50 days, from July 1 to Aug. 20.

The Shetland Creek blaze grew to more than 28,000 hectares and was the most notable wildfire of the season, Davies said, with nearly 90 properties placed on evacuation order and about 200 properties on evacuation alert during its peak.

“We had, again, significant fires this year,” said Davies. “Nothing compared to 2021 or 2023, but for people in affected areas in 2024, it was the worst fire season they have ever had.”

More than 20 structures were destroyed in the Venables Valley.

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The 2,286-hectare Dunn Creek blaze burned east of Little Fort and put four properties on evacuation order and 32 on alert in the TNRD region. No structures were impacted.

Davies said the regional district’s work continues during what remains an overwhelming and emotional time for residents rebuilding their homes and lives, many of whom are navigating the insurance process.

“The risk that still remains is from hydrophobic soil and runoff that can happen now through the fall months,” Davies said. “We’re doing what we can to let residents know about those risks that may be present. It is on the landowners to mitigate risk on their own properties. The information comes from the province on the post-wildfire-hazard-landscape risks, but we’re doing what we can to share that with residents.”