Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service

By Dylana Kneeshaw

TEIT CREEK AND SHETLAND CREEK WILDFIRES

BCWS crews contending with challenging terrain, hot and dry conditions for wildfires near Spences Bridge

Jul 17, 2024 | 7:00 PM

SPENCES BRIDGE, B.C. — BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) crews assigned to the two out-of-control wildfires near Spences Bridge have been battling dry and hot conditions this week.

The Shetland Creek wildfire to the north is estimated to be 285 hectares in size, while the Teit Creek wildfire further south is estimated at 249 hectares. Going into Wednesday evening (July 17), Kamloops Fire Centre Information Officer Cassidy Martin says BCWS isn’t expecting a massive increase in growth on either of the fires, however fire behaviour can change.

“The Teit Creek wildfire, specifically, is burning at an inaccessible area on an extremely steep slope with no road or access routes. The terrain is very challenging and very hazardous to our ground personnel so we have four helicopters remaining in the area for reconnaissance, bucketing as needed, and monitoring the fire,” she explains. “If it does move to an accessible area with achievable objectives, our crews will be able to access the fire then.”

BC Wildfire has assigned multiple attack crews, and three pieces of heavy equipment to the Shetland Creek wildfire, paired with four helicopters moving between the two fire scenes. No structures are being threatened at this time, and the highway remains open.

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“The crews and heavy equipment are working to build containment lines,” explains Martin. “The terrain and fire behaviour do not allow for a direct attack at this time, so they’re working to build containment lines and a machine guard around the perimeter to create a fuel break.”

Latest wildfire updates, evacuation alerts and orders can be found on CFJC Today‘s Wildfire Information Portal and highway conditions and closure information can be found through DriveBC.