More evacuation orders and alerts lift near Clinton-area wildfire

About 15 properties in the SLRD remain under an evacuation order.

“An evacuation order issued by the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District due to immediate danger to public safety caused by the Pear Lake wildfire has been updated in an abundance of caution, to maintain a safe border around the southern perimeter of the Pear Lake wildfire and to exclude parcels downgraded from evacuation order to alert,” said the SLRD.

About 31 properties remain under an evacuation alert in response to the Pear Lake wildfire issued by the SLRD.

This comes as activity on the southern flank of the Pear Lake wildfire remains within containment likes established by the BCWS.

However, terrain in the area is posing challenges to crews battling the flames.

“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. Crews continue to work along the perimeter where it is safe to do so, building access where the terrain allows.”

Crews in the area are mopping up any hot spots and directly attacking flames following planned ignitions in the Robertson Creek and Allen Creek areas.

“Removing the available fuel when wind and site conditions are favourable brings the fire to a line where crews can safely secure the perimeter and reduces the risk of uncontrolled growth to the south,” said the BCWS.

“Because the fire’s edge is now at these control lines, crews can mop up and patrol directly from them rather than running hose and cutting trail to reach it, which has expedited securing the perimeter.”

Behaviour of the 165,928.5-hectare fire has been moderated by rain, cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity in recent days, but the forecast calls for relatively little rain and temperatures in the low 20s in the days ahead.

“There was no rain overnight and only minimal precipitation is forecast today. Rainfall will be variable across the fire. Some areas may receive a few millimetres, others little to none, with the potential for localized downpours. Where rain does not fall, periods of more active fire behaviour, including crown fire, are still possible,” said the BCWS.

On Saturday, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District downgraded its evacuation response for three properties in the area.

by Elora McCormack

More evacuation orders and alerts lift near Clinton-area wildfire

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