UPDATED: 3:45 p.m.

A suspected human-caused grass fire near Ashcroft is now being mopped up.

It broke out before 10 a.m. today on the east side of the Thompson River, above Evans Road and the CP Rail line. According to the BC Wildfire Service, the blaze grew to an estimated half-hectare in size.

The fire was burning uphill in dry grass with wind blowing smoke to the north, away from the village, and no structures were threatened. Multiple people at the scene have said the situation could’ve been much worse if the winds were fanning flames south towards properties.

A cause is not known for the fire, but it is being listed as human-caused.

(Photo: Shauna Bolton)

#ashcroftbc happening now. Heading up gully to Mesa subdivision. pic.twitter.com/5OE5h8A7cy

— Ryan Lake (@blackties_laker) May 18, 2021