Image Credit: BC Wildfire Service

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WILDFIRE UPDATE

Summer fire risk lingers as evacuation orders, alerts ease for two wildfires in TNRD

Aug 7, 2024 | 6:05 PM

THOMPSON NICOLA — The Shetland Creek wildfire has been burning for weeks, but the situation is headed in the right direction, as the majority of evacuation orders were downgraded this week.

“We do still have about 20 properties remaining on order. Most of those are in the Venables Valley, and those are either properties or houses that have burned down, or where their water system is not up and running yet,” the TNRD’s EOC Director Kevin Skrepnek told CFJC on Wednesday (Aug. 7), “And then we do also have an evacuation order north of Lillooet near Turnip Lake and Onion Lake. There is one address there on (evacuation) order as well as some recreational properties.”

The Shetland Creek fire is still burning but so far the extent of structural damage appears to have been a couple dozen buildings, including five or six primary residences.

While residents were less effected properties were given the go-ahead to return home on Tuesday (Aug. 6).

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“That area does still remain on an area restriction through the province, so it is a little confusing. The evacuation order is lifted, so folks who live there are able to go home but we don’t want members of the public in there,” stresses Skrepnek, “Folks are still cleaning up and then and there is still active wildfire fighting operations as well.”

Elsewhere with the Dunn Creek wildfire, the all-clear was given for evacuation alerts near Little Fort, and the Simpcw First Nation area.

Simpcw EOC Information Officer Mary Mackenzie says they’ve had a good working relationship with the TNRD and the BC Wildfire Service amid the Dunn Creek situation. And they’re continuing to monitor the Joseph Creek, McTaggart Creek, and Alex Creek wildfires, alongside the Dunn Creek fire.

“The fire has pretty much stayed up in the mountains up on Baldy, and the Dunn Peak area and up in like, the Paxton Valley that’s all around in there. So as far as I know, there hasn’t been any structural damage or homes or anything.”

Mackenzie says Simpcw’s EOC is still activated at Level One, and they want to remind residents to get their wildfire updates from knowledgeable sources.

“Following trusted sources for information on wildfires because there is lots that gets posted (online) and then it can create a bit of panic sometimes within the community,” notes Mackenzie.

Evacuation orders and alerts related to both fires have changed, but the wildfire season is far from over.

“Still looking fairly warm and completely dry for the foreseeable future,” reiterates Skrepnek, “So definitely have to anticipate that even though we have a bit of a lull right now, the situation really has nowhere to go but increase in terms of the fire danger.”