An aerial view of the Mount Scatchard wildfire near Chase on June 30, 2025. (Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service)
Chase Wildfire

UPDATE: Scatchard Mountain fire near Chase being held at 35 hectares in size

Jul 1, 2025 | 10:34 AM

CHASE, B.C. — (UPDATE 9:00 p.m.): The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says the Scatchard Mountain fire is being held at 35 hectares in size, meaning its not expected to grow further based on current fuel and weather conditions.

The fire has been holding steady in size since Monday evening, as crews reported no growth throughout the day Tuesday (July 1).

In a Tuesday evening update, the Neskonlith Indian Band said BCWS crews made “excellent progress on containing the wildfire,” though a number of its members will spend another night out of their homes.

“Fire activity has significantly reduced and crews have established control lines along Harper Road,” the Band said, in a statement. “Overnight monitoring continues with two initial attack crews.”

Around 40 properties on Neskonlith’s IR #2 were evacuated Monday afternoon, and people impacted are being put up in numerous hotels and motels or they’re staying with friends and family.

“We will have a final assessment at 9:30 a.m. [Wednesday, July 2],” the Neskonlith statement added. “Community members currently in hotels will be updated as soon as possible.”

“A huge thank you to our firefighters, emergency response teams, and community members for their quick action and support during this challenging time.”

The BC Wildfire Service had two initial attack crews and one unit crew working on this fire Tuesday, along with aerial resources, as needed.

“Crews will continue to focus on actioning the north and south flanks of the fire,” it said in a statement Tuesday morning.

The BC Wildfire Service said the ground crews that remained on scene overnight Monday reported good progress. They were being assisted by two helicopters with night vision capabilities.

An evacuation alert remains in place for nine properties in the Harper Lake area of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).

There are no evacuation orders or alerts in the nearby Village of Chase, which also reports good progress in the fight against the fire.

“Crews worked hard today both on the ground and from the air and made good progress strengthening the guards around all sides of the fire,” the statement said.

At this time, the Trans-Canada Highway is still open to traffic with a reduced 60 km/hr speed limit in effect through the Chase-area.

“Expect possible reduced visibility due to smoke,” an statement from DriveBC said, with an update expected at 8:00 p.m. this evening.

According to the Village of Chase, it expects to have another update at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday (July 2) morning.