Efforts underway to protect Village of Clinton structures from Pear Lake fire

“The fire grew on both the west and east sides of the Village of Clinton within the interface area. Structure protection personnel and BC Wildfire Service crews worked overnight in the Village of Clinton,” a statement from the BCWS said.

“Structure protection resources will continue to assess and triage where there is the potential for fire growth and deploy equipment where it is needed. Structure protection triage means identifying the needs for apparatus and equipment in the event it needs to be implemented.”

Village officials are urging residents to avoid speculation on damage to structures, as they note it can be distressing to property owners.

“While there are structure losses, the extent of the damage will need to be assessed once the danger has passed and property owners can be notified. The extent of the damage is in the South side of town in the industrial area,” added the Village of Clinton statement.

Clinton currently does not have power, and BC Hydro crews will work to restore it once conditions are safe.

On Friday, the entire village was evacuated as the rapidly growing Pear Lake wildfire threatened the community.

“Security is in place to assist the RCMP keep order and ensure residents who have stayed do not interfere with fire fighting efforts,” the village statement said.

“Road access remains closed for now while public safety is at risk.”

The fire is estimated to have burned 4,472.3 hectares (about 44.7 square kilometres) of land, and the BCWS is expecting the fire to remain aggressive through the day Saturday (July 25).

“Due to fire behaviour and growth on the Pear Lake wildfire (C40983) the fire camp that was located in Clinton was evacuated and crews and support staff were repositioned in 99 Mile,” said the BCWS statement.

“Extreme fire behaviour and growth on this incident is anticipated. All personnel and resources will adjust tactics throughout the day based on fire behaviour.”

About about 131 properties in the surrounding area have also been evacuated by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), with another 426 now on alert, including the community of Loon Lake.

For the latest on TNRD evacuation orders and alerts due to the Pear Lake fire, go here.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) has issued its own evacuation order for about 45 properties in response to the Pear Lake wildfire, expanding a previously issued Evacuation Order and upgrading an alert issued Friday (July 24).

You can see the list of impacted SLRD properties here.

Evacuees are being told to head to the newly expanded emergency support services (ESS) reception centre in Kamloops or to Lillooet.

by Elora McCormack

Efforts underway to protect Village of Clinton structures from Pear Lake fire

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