Ainslie Creek Fire Evacuation Response Downgraded as Growth Slows to 67,722 Hectares

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District downgraded its evacuation response for the out-of-control Ainslie Creek fire west of the Coquihalla near Merritt after two days of cool temperatures and high humidity slowed fire growth to just 15 hectares between Aug 23 and 24. The evacuation order covering 61 properties around Spius, Petit and Prospect creeks was downgraded to alert, and 620 addressed properties in Electoral Areas M and N were given the all-clear, though roughly 58 properties along Coldwater Road/Patchett Road remain on evacuation order. The fire — out of control since late July and one of BC's three remaining 'wildfires of note' — stood at 67,722 hectares as of Aug 24 with no reported structure losses. This fire had not previously appeared in this tracker despite burning since late July.