Near the village of Clinton in B.C.’s Cariboo region, a homeowner who fled her property says the only things left on her Six Mile Lake lot are a scorched chimney stack and a neighbour’s propane tank. The scene is a stark measure of the destruction left in the wake of the Pear Lake wildfire, which officials have estimated at about 670 square kilometres.
Immediate loss and lingering trauma
Carol Senzeni, whose home was about 10 kilometres from Clinton, said she escaped on Friday with her two cats and “anything I could throw in my vehicle.” She learned her house had been destroyed days later after seeing a neighbour’s video posted to Facebook.
“This wave of wildfires that has come through Clinton and is moving northward and onward into other areas in the north, it’s rekindling old trauma, but also with new dangers,” she said.
Senzeni, currently sheltering north at 108 Mile Ranch, described watching flames as they approached and the heavy smoke that followed. She said the experience was “very daunting” and “very scary,” and that her cats have been homesick and vocal since the evacuation.
Scale of the season
Provincial officials reported that just under 50 of 130 wildfires burning across British Columbia are considered out of control. The central Interior is forecast to return to hot, dry conditions through the August long weekend, raising concerns about fire behaviour and potential further spread.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Estimated size of Pear Lake wildfire | 670 sq. km |
| Wildfires burning in B.C. | 130 (just under 50 out of control) |
| Distance from Clinton to Senzeni’s home | Approximately 10 km |
Local response and next steps
The Village of Clinton has said it will contact residents who lost buildings on their properties to coordinate next steps. Community members in and around Clinton have been supporting one another through evacuations and displacement, according to Senzeni.
Many residents in the area carry memories of the 2017 Elephant Hill wildfire, which threatened multiple Interior communities and reached more than 191 square kilometres. For some, the current fires have revived those earlier traumas while presenting new hazards.
What evacuees face now
People displaced by the fires confront immediate practical concerns: temporary shelter, care for pets and animals, and retrieving records or possessions where possible. Senzeni’s account highlights the emotional and physical toll, including sleepless nights caring for distressed pets and uncertainty about what will be recovered from lost properties.
- Evacuees may be eligible for provincial supports and should follow local emergency social services guidance.
- Residents who have been evacuated are advised to monitor official Village of Clinton communications for property-status calls and recovery instructions.
- Those with immediate animal-care needs can contact local shelters or community groups mobilised to assist evacuees.
Broader context
Wildfire seasons in B.C. have increased in intensity and scale in recent years, placing pressure on rural communities, emergency services and provincial resources. The Pear Lake fire’s size — at about 670 square kilometres — places it among the larger fires burning in the province this season.
While crews and incident commanders work to contain active blazes, the return of hot, dry weather will be a critical factor in the coming days. Officials have repeatedly urged residents in fire-affected zones to heed evacuation orders and be prepared for sudden changes in conditions.
For residents like Senzeni, the path forward is uncertain. “The danger isn’t over yet,” she said, noting neighbours have banded together to support one another as they cope with loss and displacement.
Local authorities continue to gather information about property damage and to plan recovery outreach. Anyone impacted by the Pear Lake fire should keep in touch with the Village of Clinton and provincial emergency resources for updates and assistance.
