The Scatcard Mountain Fire pictured on June 30, 2025. (Image Credit: Randy Mistal/Contributed)

By Victor Kaisar

Scatchard Mountain Fire

Neskonlith Band, TNRD lift evacuation alerts connected to Scatchard Mountain fire

Jul 4, 2025 | 11:13 AM

CHASE, B.C. — The Neskonlith Indian Band and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) have lifted evacuation alerts that were in place due to the Scatchard Mountain fire near the Village of Chase.

It comes one day after the 33.4 hectare fire was classified as under control, meaning suppressions efforts have ensured that flames will not spread beyond the current perimeter.

Neskonlith Kukpi7 Irwin Wai said its welcome news after 40 properties on IR #2 were evacuated on Monday, not long after the fire sparked.

“We’ll continue to monitor the fire for the next week or so,” Wai told CFJC Today. “We will also continue to have Sk’atsin Resources, our fire management team, on site just to do some mop up on the perimeter, just to make sure it doesn’t flare up again.”

No properties on IR #2 were impacted by the fire, though Wai said there is now a burn scar on the hillside.

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“That is an unfortunate thing,” he said. “Its just a black scar now but hopefully mother nature comes back and rejuvenates it.”

The TNRD’s now ended evacuation alert covered nine properties in the Harper Lake Road area in Electoral Area “L” (Grasslands), adjacent to Neskonlith’s IR#2.

Wai said the access to the Harper Lake Recreation Site is closed for the time-being to give crews more space to work on the fire. He said its because while the fire is 100 per cent contained, it is still burning.

“There may be roots underground that are still burning, and so crews are out doing mop up and clean up work,” Wai said.

“We’ll make sure that its safe for everybody to access. We don’t want to have to worry about people camping at Harper Lake and then we have to re-evacuate again.”

Wai added the Neskonlith Indian Band is grateful for all of the support it has gotten over the week.

“The Village of Chase, Adams Lake Indian band, Skwlax, the TNRD and others,” he said.

“And especially the firefighters. We got to all reach out to these ladies and gentlemen who are on 24 hours a day when these fires are happening. They do a commendable job.”