High Bar First Nation and TNRD partially downgrade evacuation orders near Clinton-area wildfire

“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.”

Meantime, the High Bar First Nation said its order was rescinded for High Bar I.R 1 only, and will remain in effect for High Bar I.R 1A, and High Bar I.R 2 until further notice.

This comes as High Bar First Nation said the danger of wildfire has decreased, allowing residents to return home for the first time since August 6.

“Kúkpi7 and Council have reassessed conditions and determined that the threat to life and safety has passed for High Bar I.R 1 on the east side of the Fraser River,” said High Bar First Nation officials.

“The Evacuation Order remains in effect for High Bar I.R 1A and High Bar I.R 2 due to the continued threat posed by the Big Bar Complex.”

However, road conditions may present challenges to those returning home, with Llenllenéy’ten officials recommending members to take Big Bar Ferry Road.

“High Bar Road from the Jesmond Junction to High Bar I.R 1 has not been fully cleared. Cougar Point Road and other routes have not been fully inspected and may be rough, damaged, or blocked by fallen trees,” said Llenllenéy’ten officials.

“Burned areas can be unstable, especially after rain. This increases the risk of mudslides, washouts, and falling debris. Members should use caution, avoid travelling in or right after heavy rain, and be ready to turn back if conditions look unsafe.”

Reserve lands are also currently closed to non-members of the High Bar First Nation.

Llenllenéy’ten officials said the Indigenous government is working with Village of Clinton, Thompson-Nicola Regional District, BC Wildfire Service, and Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness to deal to navigate the wildfire situation.

“This wildfire season has significantly affected the wider landscape across the region, and conditions on Llenllenéy’ten Tmícw may not be as members remember them. Familiar wayfinding landmarks in the surrounding backcountry may have changed,” said Llenllenéy’ten officials

“Llenllenéy’ten Tmícw carries deep cultural and historical significance for the Nation, and has been affected by a series of climate events in recent years, including the Farwell Canyon landslide (2024), the Big Bar landslide (2019), and the Elephant Hill wildfire (2017).”

This comes as the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) takes advantage of the region’s weather conditions.

“After a stretch of hot, dry weather, cooler and more humid conditions are moving in today (Aug. 28). The higher humidity raises fuel moisture and helps dampen fire behaviour, which gives crews a favourable window to make progress along the fire’s edge,” said the BCWS.

The forecast for the Clinton area calls for rain and a chance of a thunderstorm on Friday (Aug. 28), with cool, rainy weather to linger through the weekend.

“We are expecting more thunderstorms and convective activity across the fire. These storms may bring rain, though it is likely to be patchy, with some areas receiving a few millimetres and others little to none,” said the BCWS.

“Where rain does not fall, periods of more active fire behaviour, including crown fire, are still possible if winds rise above 10 kilometres per hour.”

The wildfire service is working to snuff out any remaining hot spots, with smoke still rising from the area from isolated pockets of burning fuel.

“Because these pockets are surrounded by burnt area and because of the suppression work that has taken place here, they are unlikely to spread and pose minimal risk of growth,” said BCWS officials.

“Aerial infrared scanning is being used to identify hotspots, and crews are using the data to locate and extinguish remaining heat, reducing the potential for flare-ups in unburnt fuel pockets within the perimeter. This work is meticulous and methodical. If hotspots are not fully extinguished along the fire’s edge, they can reignite when hotter and drier conditions return.”

In areas south of Clinton, the fire remains within existing containment lines, but terrain presents some challenges to BCWS crews.

“Containment lines are most effective when they can be built as straight, continuous guards, which is difficult where steep slopes, cliffs and rock faces prevent crews and heavy equipment from working safely along the fire’s edge. Instead, lines must be placed where the terrain allows and tied into natural features,” said the BCWS.

“Control lines must therefore be planned strategically, accounting for potential growth and the time needed to build them. They need to be close enough to the perimeter to be effective, but not so close that the fire could burn over them before the work is finished.”

The Pear Lake wildfire has grown to 165,847.34 hectares since it was fist discovered on July 17.

Nearby, the Cariboo Regional District has lifted some of its evacuation alert in response to the Bonanza Creek Wildfire, which makes up part of the Big Bar Complex alongside the Pear Lake and French Bar Creek wildfires.

The BCWS has 411 firefighting personnel, 28 helicopters, 116 pieces of heavy equipment and 29 structural protection personnel assigned to the Pear Lake wildfire.

by Elora McCormack

High Bar First Nation and TNRD partially downgrade evacuation orders near Clinton-area wildfire

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