Ashcroft, Spences Bridge, parts of Cache Creek now under wildfire evacuation alert
The communities of Ashcroft and Spences Bridge along with some homes and properties in the surrounding areas, including Cache Creek, have been placed under evacuation alerts due to the threat of an advancing wildfire.
It comes as officials confirmed several structures in the Venables Valley, north of Spences Bridge, had been burned by the Shetland Creek wildfire. Officials said they couldn’t assess the damage until the area was deemed safe.
By Friday afternoon, the fire had ballooned to more than 13,200 hectares in size, and officials are warning of what’s expected to be a treacherous weekend of fire activity.
The Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has ordered the evacuation of 88 properties in the area, and the Cook’s Ferry Indian Band has also issued orders for several reserves.
Interior Health said it is also moving more than two dozen seniors from the Jackson House long-term care facility and Thompson View Lodge assisted-living facility out of Ashcroft as a precautionary measure.
In a bulletin posted Friday, all residents of Ashcroft were warned to pack essentials and be prepared to leave on a moment’s notice.
A smaller number of properties in Cache Creek, including all properties at the Cache Creek Regional Airport, were also placed on alert.
The TNRD expanded an evacuation alert for the area to now cover 222 properties.
The expansion covers all properties along Highway 1, including the community of Spences Bridge, north to the Village of Cache Creek, and TNRD properties surrounding the Village of Ashcroft.
An evacuation alert has also been issued for the Ashcroft Band Community, including IR 4 and 105 Mile Post 2.
Nearly 280 wildfires were burning across British Columbia Friday, 79 of which started in the
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