Fire crews helped by ranchers at Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Fire crews helped by ranchers at Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft

A truck sprays fire retardant at the Tremont Creek wildfire near Ashcroft, July 22, 2021.
Image Credit: TWITTER/BC Wildfire Service

Ranchers near the Tremont Creek wildfire are helping firefighters plan and build fire guards in an effort to contain the 12,000 hectare blaze.

In an effort to utilize the knowledge of local geography and weather conditions, B.C. Wildfire Service has been working closely with ranchers on the northeast flanks of the wildfire.

"It's really a win-win for everyone involved," fire information officer Forrest Tower said today, July 23.

While local ranchers are helpful in understanding local terrain for operational planning, sometimes they can be helpful to operate heavy equipment and build fire guards on the land they know, Tower said.

On the western flank, however, a spot fire was discovered near Barnes Lake and Highway 97C on July 23.

The highway is not currently compromised, but the wildfire service has sent helicopters and ground crews to extinguish the blaze before it becomes part of the larger Tremont Creek wildfire.

Heavy winds and hot conditions continue to challenge firefighters, and they will create a contingency fire guard in case the wildfire breaches the established lines.

Since it was discovered on July 12, the Tremont Creek wildfire has grown to 12,016 hectares.

The wildfire service has 44 firefighters at the scene, with assistance from the Ashcroft Fire Department, eight helicopters and 32 heavy equipment units.

There are at least 110 properties on evacuation order from the Thompson Nicola Regional District and hundreds more on alert, including the communities of Savona and Walhachin.

The Oregon Jack Creek First Nation has also been ordered to evacuate, according to B.C. Wildfire Service. The villages of Ashcroft and Cache Creek remain on evacuation alert.

Go here for evacuation updates from the Thompson Nicola Regional District.


To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

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