Structure loss in Venables Valley to be assessed after Shetland Creek bushfire

The bushfire at Shetland Creek near Ashcroft had grown to 14,830.9 hectares by 9.30am on Sunday (July 21).

No new evacuation warnings or orders were issued Saturday. The existing orders cover areas of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, the villages of Ashcroft and Cache Creek, the Cook’s Ferry Band, Oregon Jack Band and Ashcroft Band.

Regional district officials plan to conduct an initial assessment of the Saranagati Village community in Venables Valley, southwest of Ashcroft, on Sunday. The TNRD has confirmed that there has been a loss of fabric in the community, but the full extent is not yet known.

Firefighters rescued pets left behind when the community was evacuated at short notice on the evening of July 17. The animals are being taken to Angel’s Animal Rescue near Merritt, where they will be housed until they can be reunited with their owners.

The 26 Ashcroft residents who were relocated by Interior Health from the community’s long-term care and nursing home on Friday remain evacuated. The move was taken as a proactive measure when the entire village of Ashcroft was placed on evacuation alert on Friday.

The weather continues to play a factor, with high temperatures across the region. The daily high on Sunday is forecast to be 41C, but a cooling trend is expected to develop across the region from Monday, with daily highs falling to 24C on Thursday 25 July.

The BC Wildfire Service says winds will be primarily southwest, around 10-15 km/h with gusts up to 30 km/h. Medium-range spotting will continue with the forecast winds, and as fuels remain dry and susceptible to ignition. Fire behavior is expected to increase throughout Sunday as smoke clears in the morning and winds increase.

On the night of July 20, a 23-person crew was conducting nighttime operations to protect structures in the Venables Valley and along Oregon Jack Road (Hat Creek Road). Crews will continue to work with structure protection personnel to maintain structure protection equipment in the Venables Valley area and along Oregon Jack Road.

Structure protection crews are working in the southern portion of the Hat Creek Valley, adjacent to Oregon Jack Road, to install and maintain structure protection equipment. Heavy equipment is constructing an emergency guard that connects to Blue Earth Lake northwest of Hat Creek Valley to keep the fire east of Hat Creek Valley. Approximately 15 miles of protection are currently being daylighted, which means that machine guards are being removed and widened and the canopy is being removed to prevent spotting.

As smoke visibility improved, air forces assisted ground crews by spraying hot spots on the southern and eastern flanks of the fire.

Highway 1 remains open in the region, but may close suddenly and with short notice. Motorists are warned of limited visibility due to smoke and should consider taking an alternate route. For highway conditions and closures, visit www.drivebc.ca.

For information about evacuation warnings and orders and the TNRD Emergency Operations Centre, visit www.tnrd.ca.