Video shows wildfire damage outside Clinton as assessments set to begin

A video circulating on social media shows blackened ground, burned vehicles and equipment, scorched metal and downed power lines outside Clinton, B.C., after the Pear Lake wildfire swept through the area.

Steve Larabie, whose towing and autobody business is about three kilometres south of Clinton, said the footage shows part of his property. Larabie said he and his family escaped safely, but lost everything when the fire arrived.

A local official said Clinton’s residential area was largely spared, although structures were lost on the outskirts of the village. Village staff expect to begin damage assessments within a day or two and will contact affected property owners directly.

The fire forced Clinton’s evacuation Friday and merged with another blaze the following day, growing to more than 600 square kilometres. An expanded evacuation order was issued Monday for 70 Mile House, about 30 kilometres north of Clinton. Councillor Nicolas Kosovic said more tragic losses may emerge as assessments continue, although he had learned his own home was standing as of Sunday night.