Wildfire Near Spences Bridge, BC, Explodes in Size Overnight as Heat Wave Continues

The out-of-control Shetland Creek fire in British Columbia’s southern Interior has more than doubled in size due to what the wildfire service describes as “significant overnight growth” and more accurate mapping. The fast-growing fire, now listed at 124 square kilometres in size, up from 57 square kilometres, has prompted evacuation orders and alerts between the communities of Spences Bridge and Ashcroft, east of Kamloops. An update posted to the BC Wildfire Service website says conditions are hot, dry, and windy, and there’s potential for continued substantial growth of the fire on July 19. It says the blaze advanced about six kilometres in the northwest direction parallel to Highway 1 on July 18 night....