The Mount Scatchard Wildfire burning west of the Village of Chase is now being classified as being held.

The BC Wildfire Service updated the fire’s status at 9:22 pm Tuesday.

When a wildfire is classified as being held, it means “a wildfire that is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.”

As of Tuesday night, the fire remains estimated at 35 hectares.

Photo Credit: Ekhaya Ignace

There are two initial attack crews responding to the fire.

As of Wednesday morning, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District still has an evacuation alert in place for nine properties in Electoral Area “L” (Grasslands), which is also known as the Harper Lake area.

Click here to view a map of that area.

The Neskonlith Indian Band provided an update to its residents late Tuesday evening.

“BC Wildfire crews have made excellent progress on containing the wildfire,” the band said.

They highlighted a few updates from the BCWS, which includes significantly reduced fire activity and control lines being established along Harper Road.

Firefighting crews monitored the fire overnight and a more in-depth update can be expected later today (July 2).