At least two homes and a towing business have been destroyed by a wildfire near Clinton, British Columbia, as officials begin assessing the full extent of the damage in the southern Interior community. The Pear Lake wildfire, which merged with the Fiftynine Creek blaze over the weekend, now spans more than 630 square kilometres and remains out of control.
Evacuations expand as fires merge near Clinton
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an expanded evacuation order Monday, forcing residents of 70 Mile House to leave their homes. The order covers approximately 650 properties on both sides of Highway 97, adding to the earlier evacuation of Clinton, where flames reached the outskirts of the village on Friday.
Clinton Mayor Roland Stanke confirmed that assessment crews would survey the village on Monday and Tuesday to determine the scope of destruction. "If there is damage to your property, you will be personally contacted, hopefully before you see misinformation posted on Facebook," he said in a social media update.
While most of Clinton’s residential area appears intact, Nicholas Kosovic, a local councillor and café owner, said several properties south of the village were lost. "The fire behaviour was quite severe," he told reporters, though he declined to identify other affected residents.
Firefighters battle smouldering embers and flare-ups
The BC Wildfire Service reported that structure protection teams and local firefighters remained in Clinton on Monday, conducting continuous patrols to extinguish spot fires. A guard has been established at the southeast corner of the village, with crews working to create containment lines farther from the fire’s edge.
Despite progress, risks remain. Mayor Stanke warned that smouldering embers could reignite days after the initial blaze, potentially causing further structural fires. Water service has been restored to residents who defied evacuation orders, though it must be boiled before drinking. BC Hydro crews are still assessing downed power lines before restoring electricity.
Community rallies as recovery efforts begin
Online fundraisers have emerged for Clinton residents who lost their homes, though none of those involved have agreed to interviews. Kosovic, who fled the fire late Friday, said his own uninsured home was still standing as of Monday morning. He plans to meet with a friend who lost his property, emphasizing the community’s resilience.
"I think Clinton is quite resilient. It is a strong community," he said. Meanwhile, the Rim Lake wildfire, burning east of the merged Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek blazes, prompted evacuation orders for two additional properties on Monday.
The fires are among more than 130 active wildfires in British Columbia, with over 50 burning out of control. Air-quality warnings remain in effect for much of the province’s central and southern Interior, as well as the Prince George and Fort St. John areas.
