Pear Lake wildfire grows to 1,150 square kilometres in south Cariboo

The Pear Lake wildfire in British Columbia’s south Cariboo region had grown to about 1,150 square kilometres, or 115,250 hectares, by Sunday morning.

The fire was discovered July 17 and initially threatened Clinton. It has since merged with the Fiftynine Creek fire, prompting evacuation orders for everyone living there. Depending on how complexes and cross-provincial fires are counted, it ranks between the 10th and 13th largest fires in B.C. history.

BC Wildfire Service said 279 firefighters, 24 helicopters and 86 pieces of heavy equipment were working on the blaze. Cooler temperatures, higher humidity and lighter winds reduced activity Sunday, but officials warned drought conditions leave much of the region susceptible to ignition and more intense fire behaviour if sun and wind return.

Across the province, about 46 per cent of 131 active fires were out of control, following roughly 2,200 lightning strikes over 24 hours that weekend. Cariboo-Chilcoten MLA Lorne Doerkson has called for increased provincial support, including more firefighters and helicopters, after the Pear Lake fire grew by about 10,000 hectares overnight.

Cindy Tudge, who lives in the Ranchettes area east of 100 Mile House, said residents have experienced heavy smoke and ash. She said highway closures leave her community with two routes out: Highway 24 East and Highway 97 North.