©BCWildfireService

The Ainslie Creek wildfire is now being held after burning out of control for nearly two months west of Merritt. The BC Wildfire Service changed the fire’s status Thursday morning, one day after removing it from the province’s list of wildfires of note. A fire classified as being held is not expected to spread beyond its current boundaries under forecast conditions and with the suppression work completed to date. The blaze, suspected to be human-caused, was discovered on July 4 and has grown to 67,722 hectares. BCWS said between one and seven millimetres of rain fell across the Brunswick Complex overnight, with slightly cooler temperatures and light winds expected Thursday. Environment Canada is forecasting a high of 20 C in Merritt on Thursday, with southwest winds reaching 20 km/h and a 30 per cent chance of showers late in the afternoon.