Merged wildfires cross Highway 97 north of Clinton

The Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek wildfires threatening Clinton and surrounding areas merged late Saturday and remained highly active Sunday, BC Wildfire Service said. The combined fire was moving north and northeast of Chasm, about 20 kilometres north of Clinton, and was estimated at nearly 670 square kilometres.

Fire information officer Shae Stearns said crews were still protecting structures and fighting fire in Clinton, which was ordered evacuated when the Pear Lake fire intensified Friday. She said the fire was no longer advancing toward the village in the same way, but substantial ground work remained.

A local official said the Pear Lake blaze destroyed structures on the community’s outskirts, though Clinton itself was largely spared. Steve Larabie, whose towing and autobody business is three kilometres south of Clinton, said his family lost two homes, about 3,000 vehicles and 50 pieces of equipment. He said he fled as vehicles and equipment burned and fuel exploded.

The merged fire crossed a stretch of Highway 97 that will require repairs, Stearns said. Fire activity east of the highway was moderated as flames moved into previously burned terrain, but drought has left fuels exceptionally dry and significant rain was not forecast for the area.

Elsewhere, an evacuation alert affecting more than 500 properties in the La Casa area north of West Kelowna was lifted Sunday after crews re-established a perimeter. Boston Bar and nearby areas remained under evacuation orders due to the Brunswick fire complex. BC Wildfire Service listed 31 evacuation orders and 28 alerts across the province, while about 140 active fires were set to receive help from Yukon, Alberta and Mexico personnel.