Officials have broadened evacuation mandates connected to the largest wildfire in British Columbia. The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, on Saturday, extended an evacuation order for an area south of the Pear Lake wildfire to encompass properties near Highway 99 in the Marble Canyon region. Additionally, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District also expanded an evacuation order along Highway 99, west of the Highway 97 junction. The extended orders from both districts now encompass nearly 200 properties in total. Furthermore, the Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation has issued evacuation orders for several of its reserves.
Residents of Clinton have been allowed to return home, though evacuation orders still apply to properties west of the village due to the Pear Lake Wildfire. Summerland residents are gradually being permitted to return, but a boil water notice is in effect for the district. All three governments have also widened evacuation alerts.
The Pear Lake wildfire has scorched over 1,647 square kilometers, per the B.C. Wildfire Service, and has resulted in the destruction of structures on more than 120 properties, primarily in the vicinity of Clinton. The fire is currently most active on its western and southern boundaries.
Environment Canada issued a yellow severe thunderstorm watch for a significant portion of the B.C. Interior, Cariboo, and Metro Vancouver. Severe thunderstorm warnings have been issued for parts of Vancouver Island. The department advises seeking immediate cover if a thunderstorm nears. The B.C. Wildfire Service cautioned that shifting weather patterns may bring dry lightning strikes and high winds across the southern and central Interior on Saturday, along with localized gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour with some thunderstorms. This could escalate fire behavior in areas already ablaze and potentially prompt new wildfire outbreaks.
Crews responded to a new lightning-sparked wildfire in the Jacko Lake area, just south of Kamloops, on Saturday. By Saturday evening, the fire had expanded to 44 hectares and was deemed “being held” by the wildfire service, signifying no expected spread beyond current boundaries. The wildfire service has dispatched 19 personnel and air crews to the scene. Crews made “good progress” on Saturday, as mentioned on the update page, and will persist in establishing and reinforcing containment lines. A Kamloops Fire Rescue crew will operate on-site overnight.
As of Saturday evening, there were more than 150 active wildfires across B.C., with almost 60 of them categorized as out of control. The B.C. government extended a provincial state of emergency related to wildfires until at least August 29.