Bonaparte First Nation issues evacuation order due to Clinton-area wildfire

“Under the current weather conditions, wind is the primary driver of fire behaviour. With higher fuel moisture content, the fire is not progressing as rapidly through the dry fuels, though elevated fire behaviour and growth continue where winds increase or gusts occur.”

On the south flank of the fire, strong winds grew the fire eastward, with crews setting up containment lines to try limiting the fire’s spread.

“Today (August 12) crews will use planned ignitions to connect the area of growth that was contained yesterday (August 11) to existing control lines to the southeast and running south along Highway 97 and to the west running towards Pavilion Road,” said the BCWS.

“With significantly improved visibility today (August 12), this work will be heavily support by helicopters dropping water to cool the fire and moderate fire behaviour, allowing crews to work closer to the fire perimeter.”

Crews are still working to protect any buildings threatened by the lightning-caused blaze.

“Crews remain engaged on all sides of the Village of Clinton, along the Clinton-Loon Lake Road and Liden-Mound Road areas. They are mopping up and patrolling for hot spots around structures,” said the BCWS.

“Structure protection is demobilizing equipment in areas to the east of Highway 97, where the risk to values has been mitigated through fire suppression.”

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has also downgraded an evacuation order to an alert for eight properties south of 70 Mile House. This includes:

1565 Raphael-Meason Rd;
1436 to 1496 Hwy 97; and
Any other areas as outlined on the attached map.

“An Evacuation Alert is now in place for approximately 1,130 addressed properties in Electoral Area “E” (Bonaparte Plateau),” said the TNRD.

“This Evacuation Alert is in place to prepare you to evacuate your premises or property should it be found necessary. Residents will be given as much advance notice as possible prior to an Evacuation Order; however, you may receive limited notice due to changing conditions.”

by Elora McCormack

Bonaparte First Nation issues evacuation order due to Clinton-area wildfire

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