No additional properties impacted in Clinton but officials warn of rapidly changing conditions

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“By the time the convective activity reaches B.C.’s Southern Interior, it will come with little-to-no rainfall,” Andy Watson, Director of Communications with the Ministry of Forests, said. “Due to hot and dry conditions, fuels are increasingly susceptible, and it is likely that new lightning-caused wildfires may result.”

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Watson said as the cold front moves through the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast Fire Centres, the anticipated stronger winds may increase fire intensity and lead to challenging conditions for firefighting efforts.

“New ignitions occurring during periods of strong wind can establish and spread quickly,” Watson added. “Of particular concern are smaller fires located in steep terrain where wind and slope alignment can rapidly accelerate fire growth. Fires that appear manageable can transition quickly to higher intensity behaviour under these conditions.”

Expanded evacuation orders and alerts

Friday (July 31) morning, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) and the Cariboo Regional District (CRD) issued evacuation orders in the Green Lake area. The TNRD also issued evacuation orders for people in the Loon Lake area and alerts for the Pressy Lake and Hihium Lake areas. Bonaparte (St’uxwtéws) First Nation also issued evacuation alerts for its #6 Hihium and #4 Loon Lake reserves.

“We understand residents are deeply concerned about the ongoing threat posed by the Pear Lake wildfire,” the TNRD said in a statement Friday evening. “We know many residents are eager to return to their homes and properties. However, given the forecast and the potential for fire behaviour to escalate quickly, evacuation orders are not expected to be lifted in the immediate future.”

The TNRD added it is also not able to grant temporary access to areas on evacuation order so people can retrieve essential belongings, check on properties or care for animals “because the safety risks are simply too high.”

“We are in constant contact with BC Wildfire to determine when conditions could change,” the TNRD added

The TNRD also noted the BC Wildfire Service had to halt operations on “multiple” occasions to help people who were in danger after they chose to remain in areas on evacuation order.

“We strongly urge anyone still in these areas to leave immediately. Conditions are unsafe and could deteriorate with little warning,” the TNRD said. “We recognize how difficult and stressful this situation is for residents, and we remain committed to providing timely, accurate information and ongoing support as conditions evolve.”

No timeline for return to Clinton

While the Village of Clinton has been preserved from major loss, there is still no timeline yet when residents could return home. BC Hydro reported “unprecedented damage” to its transmission system and its preliminary estimate was that power would be restored in Clinton in approximately two weeks.

“While Clinton has been fortunate in many respects thus far, our thoughts remain with our neighbours in surrounding areas who have experienced losses as a result of this wildfire,” village officials said in a statement Friday (July 31) afternoon. “We are also thinking of the residents and communities north of us who are now facing evacuation orders/alerts and the uncertainty that comes with this situation.”

“Our hearts are with everyone affected as this challenging situation continues and we are committed to assisting our friends and neighbours once we are able to return.”

There have been some structural losses in Clinton and on Thursday evening, the village said it had completed Rapid Damage Assessments and notified impacted property owners. However, it also noted the out-of-control fire is hindering the ability to complete in-depth assessments.

“It has not yet been safe enough to complete ‘boots on the ground,’ in-depth assessments of these areas, so properties that have suffered minor damage may not have been notified at this point,” the Thursday evening statement said.

“Please know, the current situation remains unstable due to ongoing fire activity and further property damage may still happen as the situation progresses.”

Colton Davies, an information officer with the TNRD, told CFJC Today dozens of TNRD properties have also been impacted by the fire and owners were being notified. He also said the TNRD has not been able to access all impacted areas as the fire is still burning.

“There are very few parts of the TNRD’s Electoral Area ‘E’ that aren’t on evacuation order or alert right now,” Davies said. “It’s a very busy time trying to support people through probably one of the most challenging times of their lives.”

‘It’s not business as usual’

Heading into the August long weekend, Davies also urged people looking to travel through the Cariboo to reconsider, saying “it’s not business as usual.”

“With Highway 97 closed and thousands of people on evacuation order, it’s a bit of a different reality than where some people may be coming from,” Davies said. “There is a wildfire disaster that is occurring up that way and it might be a good idea to consider postponing non-essential travel plans.”

At an information meeting Wednesday, TNRD Board Chair Barbara Roden urged people to reach out for help if they need it, saying the wildfires will be “one of the most traumatizing events” that they’ll live through.

“No matter what your experience of this fire is, whether you are someone who is finding out or is about to find out that you have lost property, whether you’re someone on evacuation order who is away from your home, whether you were under evacuation alert, it is a traumatic, frightening experience,” Roden said.