Wildfires are sweeping across British Columbia, with about 120 fires burning across the province, prompting evacuation orders and alerts in areas including Clinton, Boston Bar, and parts of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District. The BC Wildfire Service says an approaching cold front is expected to bring stronger winds, making firefighting efforts more difficult.
Wildfire Evacuations in Clinton
In Clinton, about 350 km northeast of Vancouver, residents remain under an evacuation order after the Pear Lake wildfire advanced toward the village on Friday. "It was difficult," said Bruce Kirkby, who spent hours trying to round up his four cats before evacuating Clinton. Kirkby described the traffic out of Clinton as "very busy, really busy" with "never seen so many cars".
The Village of Clinton said in a social media post that firefighters worked through the night to protect the community, preventing widespread destruction despite the fire continuing to pose a threat. "Clinton has been preserved from major loss," the village said in an update Saturday, thanking the Clinton Fire Department, BC Wildfire Service and crews from responding departments for their efforts.
Impact on Residents and Infrastructure
Joanne Mitchell, who lives in a seniors' housing complex in Clinton, told Global News that residents had been living with smoke, ash and poor air quality for weeks before the evacuation order was issued. "For the vulnerable, the elderly, yes. Absolutely, we've been breathing toxic smoke, dust particles, ash, pine needles since July the 4th," she said. Power remains out in the village, with BC Hydro expected to begin restoration work once conditions are safe.
Brian Doddridge, with the village's emergency operations centre, said the vast majority of Clinton's residential area survived the encroaching wildfire. However, the fire split overnight, moving south toward Hart Ridge and northeast toward Lime Lookout, and while there have been structure losses, the extent of the damage remains unknown due to safety concerns.
Additional Challenges in Boston Bar
About 160 km south of Clinton, another wildfire-related challenge unfolded in the Boston Bar area, where police are investigating the alleged vandalism of the Fraser Valley Regional District's Boston Bar water system. Patricia Ross, chair of the Fraser Valley Regional District, said someone reopened the water system after it had been shut down to preserve water for firefighters, potentially damaging critical infrastructure.
As the situation continues to unfold, residents and officials are bracing for the potential consequences of the wildfires and the challenges that lie ahead. The BC Wildfire Service and local authorities are working to contain the fires and support affected communities, with the public advised to stay informed and follow evacuation orders and alerts.
