B.C.'s Shetland Creek wildfire, which destroyed multiple homes, now considered 'held'

The large wildfire that destroyed multiple homes in British Columbia's southern Interior last month is now considered "held."

BC Wildfire Service says the 280-square-kilometre Shetland Creek wildfire is not likely to spread further, but crews still have hard work ahead.

The Shetland Creek wildfire (GK70910) is now classified as Being Held, meaning it has received sufficient fire suppression action that it is not likely to spread further under forecast conditions. While holding the fire is an important milestone, crews still have hard work ahead. pic.twitter.com/4coJGScHgU

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 18, 2024

A statement from the service online says smoke will remain visible from within the perimeter as crews use hand tools to dig out hot spots and turn over and wet down earth to remove heat from the fire.

The fire is still listed as one of four wildfires of note in the province, meaning they are either highly visible or pose a threat to public safety and infrastructure.

Last week the Thompson Regional District lifted most of the remaining evacuation orders and alerts that were in place due to the Shetland Creek wildfire burning on the west side of the Thompson River.

The fire destroyed at least 20 structures including six homes in the Venables Valley in the days after it was first reported on July 12. 

The statement says the provincial wildfire service is grateful for firefighters from Australia, Ontario and the Northwest Territories who assisted in managing the fire.

The province's online dashboard says 165 ground personnel, 14 helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy equipment are currently assigned to the fire.

A provincewide situation update says wet weather is helping firefighters tackle some of the wildfires burning in the south of the province.

The update from the wildfire service says the southern half of the province is seeing cooler temperatures with rainy conditions pushing inland from the coast and that the increase in relative humidity is helping ease fire behaviour.

The statement says there is the potential for widespread thunderstorm activity across the central Interior, though any lightning strikes are expected to be accompanied by rain.

In the north, the statement says warm, dry conditions remain and people should be mindful of activities that could spark a new wildfire because the area will be susceptible to new ignitions.

The wildfire service says two helicopters were called in to help fight the Corya Creek wildfire about seven kilometres northwest of the Witset First Nation in northwest B.C.

The service says the fire is burning on steep terrain that is not safe for groundcrews, and while a structure defence plan is being developed as a precaution, it says there is currently no threat to the community or nearby infrastructure.

As of Sunday, the wildfire service listed 371 active fires in the province, including 13 that started in the last 24 hours.