Wildfire service carries out planned ignitions on northern flank of Clinton-area wildfire

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The wildfire service adds that crews took advantage of favourable winds Sunday, using small-scale hand ignitions to bring the fire to control lines west of 70 Mile along the Raphael Maeson Road. 

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Structure protection personnel are continuing to prioritize work where there is active fire in and around structures, including the Village of Clinton, 70 Mile, Canoe Creek, Meadow Lake Road, Beaverdam Lake and Green Lake. 

“Structure protection crews installed sprinkler systems on and around homes and other values at risk. These systems work by raising the moisture content of the air and fuels immediately surrounding a structure, creating a humidity bubble that makes it harder for embers and firebrands to ignite combustible material on or near the building,” the wildfire service said.

The Pear Lake wildfire, which is suspected to be caused by lightning, is measured at around 1,152 square kilometres (115,250 hectares) in size. It has triggered evacuation orders and alerts from the Village of Clinton, the Cariboo, Squamish-Lillooet and Thompson-Nicola Regional Districts, Bonaparte First Nation, Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band, Stswecem’c Xget’tem First Nation and Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation. 

An incident management team has been assigned to the Pear Lake wildfire. Additionally, 231 firefighting personnel and 213 structure protection personnel are responding to the mammoth wildfire. They’re being accompanied by 87 pieces of heavy equipment and 24 helicopters. 

The wildfire service says smoke will be more dense and continue to affect aircraft operations, particularly in the south, as a ridge of high-pressure builds. 

Highway 97 from south of Clinton to the 70 Mile area remains closed due to the Pear Lake wildfire. Drivers are still being asked to take a detour via Highway 1 from Cache Creek to Kamloops, Highway 5 North from Kamloops to Little Fort and Highway 24 from Little Fort to the 100 Mile area. 

Also part of the Big Bar Complex, the Rim Lake wildfire burning east of the Pear Lake wildfire is measured at around 4,577 hectares as of Monday afternoon. It is also suspected to be caused by lightning, although no evacuation alerts or orders are in effect in relation.