Pear Lake wildfire damages structures on about 120 properties

The Pear Lake wildfire in B.C.’s Southern Interior has destroyed structures on approximately 120 properties within the Thompson Nicola Regional District, according to an initial damage assessment.

The fire is estimated at 1,100 square kilometres. Confirmed losses include areas around Big Bar Lake and Chasm, along Highway 97 south of Clinton, and west of the village on Kelly Lake Road.

Most affected properties are residential, but officials said some losses involve garages, sheds and other outbuildings rather than homes. The count does not include properties outside the regional district’s jurisdiction, including those in Clinton.

Information officer Colton Davies said crews have not yet been able to safely access all places where additional losses are suspected. Staff expect to notify people whose properties were damaged over the coming days.

Conditions have improved since strong weekend winds fanned several B.C. wildfires, but all evacuation orders tied to the Pear Lake fire remain in place. Officials do not yet know when evacuees will be able to return.