Complex of wildfires near Boston Bar being held; Pear Lake blaze no longer a fire of note

The wildfire service says the Ainslie Creek wildfire, which is measured at around 67,722.48 hectares in size, is projected to remain within its current perimeter based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability.

The neighbouring Brunswick Creek fire, which also had its wildfire of note status removed on Aug. 25, is also classified as being held at 9,266.86 hectares.

On the northeast flank near Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge, the wildfire service says fallers are working along the Edgar to remove wildfire-impacted danger trees affecting access and egress routes.

“Crews continue to strengthen containment lines, extinguish hotspots, and achieve 100 feet of extinguishment along the south and east flanks of the fire’s furthest extension,” the wildfire service says.

The wildfire service said fire activity will likely occur in the interior of the Ainslie Creek perimeter until the winter due to extreme drought conditions across most of the area’s trees and soil.

Some evacuation alerts issued by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), Coldwater Indian Band, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band and Spuzzum First Nation are still in effect.

An incident management team is still assigned to the Ainslie Creek fire. They’re accompanied by 269 firefighters, 22 pieces of heavy equipment and 10 helicopters.

For the Brunswick Creek fire, some evacuation orders issued by Boston Bar First Nation are still in effect, as are some evacuation alerts issued by the Fraser Valley Regional District, Boothroyd Indian Band, Coldwater Indian Band, Yale First Nation and Shxw’ow’hamel First Nation.

The Brunswick Complex of wildfires are suspected to be human caused.

Pear Lake

The Pear Lake wildfire is measured at 166,131.9 hectares in size, respectively.

In an update Thursday morning, the wildfire service says much of the Pear Lake fire’s edge is secure, although heat remains within the perimeter.

“Smoke will remain visible inside the perimeter as isolated pockets of fuel burn,” the wildfire service states. “Because these pockets are surrounded by burnt area and because of the suppression work that has taken place here, they are unlikely to spread and pose minimal risk of growth.”

Residents are still asked to avoid areas impacted by the Pear Lake wildfire as the service says there’s an increased risk of destabilized trees falling in the wind.

Demobilization is also ongoing in areas where residents have returned home.

Some evacuation orders and alerts issued by the TNRD, Squamish Lillooet Regional District, Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band, Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation and Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation are still in effect.

An incident management team is still assigned to the Pear Lake fire. They’re accompanied by 355 firefighters, five structure protection personnel, 48 pieces of heavy equipment and 10 helicopters.

The Pear Lake fire is suspected to be caused by lightning.

by Aaron Schulze

Complex of wildfires near Boston Bar being held; Pear Lake blaze no longer a fire of note

Brunswick Complex being held

Pear Lake

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