More than 190 properties in British Columbia’s Thompson Nicola Regional District are under evacuation order as residents defy calls to leave, vowing to protect their homes from advancing wildfires. The Fiftynine Creek wildfire has triggered mandatory evacuations in the Village of Clinton, yet some locals, like resident Ira Robinson, insist they will stay and fight the flames with available equipment.
For context: Canada has faced increasingly severe wildfire seasons, with experts warning that traditional firefighting strategies are no longer sufficient. This year’s fires follow record-breaking blazes in 2023, which burned over 18 million hectares nationwide—nearly double the previous annual high.
Residents weigh risks as fires spread
Robinson, a Clinton resident, said he and others are prepared to use bulldozers, excavators, and tractors to defend their properties if the fire reaches their community. “We’ll fight it,” he stated. Meanwhile, other residents, like Lee Longtree, have chosen to evacuate early due to health concerns, citing dangerous smoke levels for his wife, who has dementia.
Herbie Kennedy, another local, described the situation as “a little unnerving,” reflecting the mixed reactions among those in the fire’s path. The Thompson Nicola Regional District has placed 193 properties on evacuation order and 104 on alert, with conditions deteriorating rapidly.
Experts call for national wildfire strategy
John Gradek, a McGill University lecturer specializing in wildfire response, said Canada’s current approach—focusing on evacuations rather than prevention—is outdated. “The old strategies that we used 15 or 20 years ago just don’t cut it,” he said, noting that fires are growing faster and becoming more intense due to climate change.
Gradek argued that provinces often react only after fires become emergencies, leaving communities scrambling. He proposed a long-term national strategy to determine resource allocation, including aircraft, helicopters, and firefighters, and to position them strategically before fires ignite. “Our strategy for firefighting is evacuation,” he said. “We need to stop fires before they reach homes.”
Indigenous knowledge and budget cuts raise concerns
Gradek also emphasized the need to support Indigenous communities in implementing traditional forest management practices, such as prescribed burns, which have historically reduced wildfire risks. “Let them be the keepers of the boreal forest,” he said. “I bet you we’d have a better season.”
The call for reform comes as Ontario reduces its emergency forest firefighting budget to $150 million for 2026-27, down from $271 million the previous year. With wildfire seasons expected to worsen, experts warn that Canada must adapt its approach to avoid repeating this year’s crises.
What to watch: Officials are monitoring the Fiftynine Creek wildfire’s spread, while provincial and federal governments face growing pressure to develop a coordinated wildfire response plan before the next fire season begins.
