Residents of 70 Mile House and surrounding areas have been notified of a planned evacuation set to take effect at 10 a.m. Monday as the combined Pear Lake wildfire continues to expand in British Columbia's Cariboo region.
Fire growth prompts orders and closures
The B.C. Wildfire Service confirmed the Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires merged on Saturday evening, creating a larger fire now measured at more than 66,000 hectares (about 660 sq. km). The blaze is part of the Big Bar complex and has forced hundreds of residents from their homes, including an evacuation of the village of Clinton.
Provincial officials said the merged fire has affected a key transportation artery: Highway 97 is closed between Loon Lake Road and Chasm Road after the flames advanced around the highway near Chasm Road.
Local authorities unable to fully assess damage
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District warned it has not been able to conduct ground inspections for damage assessments because of safety hazards, though it has received unverified reports of harm to residential and commercial properties.
"We're not expecting that things will quiet down," Amanda Bennett Arrieta of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District said, noting the district has received reports of damage but cannot yet confirm the extent.
The human toll is already evident in firsthand accounts. Steven Larabie told CBC News that both his home and business, located south of Clinton, were destroyed by the fire on Friday night.
Weather provides only limited relief
Fire information officer Shae Stearns said slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity were observed on Sunday, but that regional drought conditions and prevailing fuels continue to favour active fire behaviour. She warned the fire is continuing to move north.
"With the prevailing drought conditions, we are still anticipating to see quite elevated behaviour," Stearns said.
Officials emphasised that short-term weather changes do not eliminate the risks posed by large, wind-driven wildfires and noted that conditions remain challenging for suppression efforts.
What communities face
- Evacuations: Planned order for 70 Mile House at 10 a.m. Monday; Clinton already evacuated.
- Area burned: >66,000 hectares (660 sq. km) after Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek merged.
- Transport: Highway 97 closed between Loon Lake Road and Chasm Road.
The merger of two fires into a single, larger incident complicates suppression strategies and resource allocation. Large perimeters increase the number of communities at risk and can outpace available firefighting resources, especially when multiple fires are burning across a province.
Emergency officials continue to coordinate evacuation notifications and monitor conditions, but residents in threatened zones were advised to follow regional district directions and be prepared to leave with little notice. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has urged people to treat unverified damage reports cautiously until assessments can be completed safely.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fires merged | Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek |
| Area burning | More than 66,000 hectares (~660 sq. km) |
| Affected highway | Highway 97 (closed between Loon Lake Rd and Chasm Rd) |
| Communities impacted | 70 Mile House (planned evacuation), Clinton (evacuated) |
As the situation evolves, provincial and regional authorities will issue updates on road status, evacuation orders and where displaced residents can seek assistance. Given the scale of the fire and the established drought conditions in parts of B.C., officials cautioned that containment could remain difficult in the coming days.
For now, residents in nearby communities should monitor official channels for instructions and be prepared to comply with evacuation notices to ensure safety.
Reporting from the national desk.
