Kamloops NewsWeather could help Ainslie Creek crews after successful planned ignition near Hwy. 8Showers may aid fire crewsPhoto: Andrew Holliday A Castanet reader snapped in this photo of the Ainslie Creek wildfire from the Coquihalla Highway on Monday, Aug. 10, 2026. Firefighters battling the Ainslie Creek blaze burning out of control west of Merritt could get some help Wednesday from Mother Nature after a successful planned ignition helped strengthen control lines near Highway 8. The latest BC Wildfire Service mapping places the fire less than 10 kilometres from the Coquihalla Highway and about 20 kilometres northwest of Merritt. Multiple evacuation orders and alerts are in place due to the Ainslie Creek fire.