Image Credit: Randy Mistal/Contributed
New Grassfire

UPDATE: Evacuation orders and alerts in effect as grassfire near Chase grows in size

Jun 30, 2025 | 2:00 PM

CHASE, B.C. — (UPDATE 8:00 p.m.): Evacuation orders and alerts are in place as a wildfire that is burning near the Village of Chase has grown to an estimated 35 hectares in size.

The evacuation order was issued by the Neskonlith Indian Band, while the alert was issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).

Neskonlith Kukpi7 Irwin Wai said about 40 properties on IR #2 are impacted by the evacuation order, and people are being directed to a reception centre at the Adams Lake Conference Centre at 6349 Chief Jules Drive in Chase.

He said officials were knocking on doors to let people know about the evacuation orders.

The band has also declared a State of Local Emergency due to the Mount Scatchard wildfire.

“We do have a large contingent of fire personnel and equipment on site,” Wai added. “We’re monitoring it minute by minute basically.”

The TNRD’s evacuation alert covered nine properties in the Harper Lake area.

The BC Wildfire Service has numerous ground crews attacking this fire with aerial support from helicopters and fixed wing aircraft.

It said a unit crew will remain on scene overnight, and they’ll be assisted by a helicopter with night vision capabilities.

“Apparently, a truck coming off the mountain had its load on fire and it was igniting the hillside as it was coming down,” Wai said.

Village of Chase CAO Joni Heinrich told CFJC Today that they were also led to believe that the fire was sparked by that truck.

“Evidently, it was fellow coming down from Chase-Falkland area with hay on the back of his truck and it caught fire and I guess when he was going towards the Harper Lake area or wherever, it ignited a wildfire,” Heinrich said.

While there are no evacuation orders or alerts covering the Village of Chase, both it and the TNRD have activated their respective emergency operations centres as a precaution.

“While the fire has grown in size, it is currently moving to the south and east and away from Chase and Neskonlith’s community,” Heinrich said.

Added Wai, “we have a great crew and the BC firefighters are out there with airplanes and helicopters, so everybody has come together to mitigate the dangers of this fire.”

“I think with the professional crews that we have, I’m confident this will be under control.”

At this time, the wildfire is not inpacting the Trans-Canada Highway, which remains open to traffic.

“Expect possible reduced visibility due to smoke,” an statement from DriveBC said, with an update expected at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday (July 1).

This is a developing story, and more information will be provided once it’s available.

Image Credit: Randy Mistal/Contributed