Ainslie Creek wildfire prompts evacuation orders and alerts near Merritt

The Nooaitch Indian Band has also issued an Evacuation Order for its main reserve – IR 10 – upgrading an Evacuation Alert that has been in place since July 8.

Evacuees are being directed to the emergency support services (ESS) reception centre in Kamloops.

Meanwhile, the Lower Nicola Indian Band (LNIB) has issued an Evacuation Alert in response to the out of control fires in the Brunswick Complex.

The LNIB’s alert covers properties on the Speous IR No. 8, Pipsuel IR No. 3, and Nicola Mameet IR No. 1 areas. You can see a list of of the impacted properties below.

(Image Credit: Lower Nicola Indian Band)

“Residents in the affected areas are being asked to prepare for a possible evacuation should conditions worsen,” said the LNIB

Residents in the area are urged to take the following steps:

Gather essential items, medications, identification, and important documents.
Make arrangements for family members, pets, livestock, and transportation.
Stay informed and be prepared to leave on short notice if an Evacuation Order is issued.

The Coldwater Indian Band has also issued an evacuation alert for Paul’s Basin IR No. 2, while the Shackan Indian Band has issued its own evacuation alerts.

“Residents are encouraged to be prepared to leave on short notice should conditions worsen and an Evacuation Order become necessary. Please gather essential items, medications, important documents, and make arrangements for pets and livestock if applicable,” said a social media post from the Coldwater Indian Band.

This all comes after the TNRD expanded its existing Evacuation Alert in the area west of Merritt in response to the Ainslie Creek wildfire, which is part of the massive Brunswick Complex fires. Those fires are an estimated 33,679 hectares (about 336 square kilometres) in size.

You can see more information on active evacuation alerts and orders from the TNRD here.

by Elora McCormack

Ainslie Creek wildfire prompts evacuation orders and alerts near Merritt

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