The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has expanded an evacuation order west of Clinton due to the Pear Lake wildfire, and BC Hydro is warning of the possibility of power fluctuations due to threats to the Kelly Lake substation in the order area.
At 11 p.m. on Thursday (July 23), the TNRD expanded an evacuation order for properties west of Clinton, bringing to 58 the number of addressed properties affected.
On July 20, the TNRD placed Downing Provincial Park and Downing Day Use area on evacuation order. The new order extends along the Pavilion-Clinton Road to the western boundary of the Village of Clinton, which was placed on evacuation alert on July 22.
The expanded evacuation order includes properties at 7511 Danielson Road; 6421 to 7375 Jesmond Road; 134 to 1996 Pavilion-Clinton Road; and any other properties in the area as detailed on a map issued by the TNRD.
Some of the properties had been placed on evacuation alert due to the nearby Fiftynine Creek wildfire. That evacuation alert no longer applies, and all properties listed are now on evacuation order.
Anyone in the described area must leave immediately. Evacuees can report to the Emergency Support Services (ESS) centre at the McArthur Island Sports Complex in Kamloops (1655 Parkway). In order to receive ESS support, evacuees can report to the Kamloops centre, or use the Evacuee Registration and Assistance tool at ess.gov.bc.ca.
On July 20, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) issued an evacuation order for properties on Pear lake Road and Pavilion-Clinton Road. Those properties remain under evacuation order. An area to the south within the SLRD has been placed on evacuation alert, which was expanded on July 23.
At 9 p.m. on Thursday, BC Hydro issued a statement noting that “Customers across B.C. may be experiencing flickering lights, power interruptions, and fluctuations in power due to wildfire activity near Kelly Lake affecting transmission lines.”
The BC Hydro substation at Kelly Lake supplies electricity to the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island from the Peace River hydroelectric system. The substation is 12 kilometres west of Clinton on Pavilion-Clinton Road, and is in the area now under an evacuation order.
BC Hydro says that the nearby wildfire has caused an increase in transmission trips, resulting in momentary power disturbances, but that active wildfire conditions prevent safe access to the area. BC Hydro is continuing to monitor the situation.
The Pear Lake wildfire was discovered on July 17, and as of the evening of July 23 was estimated at 3,185 hectares. It is suspected to have been lightning-caused.
BC Wildfire Service says that on July 23 the fire was exhibiting Rank 4 fire behaviour along the east flank, meaning an organized flame front with intermittent crown fire and a fast rate of spread. Southwest winds were pushing the fire growth east into the valley.
The Pear Lake fire is part of the Big Bar complex, which also comprises the Fiftynine Creek and French Bar Creek wildfires west of Clinton. All three fires are described as out of control
The Fiftynine Creek fire, which was discovered on July 17 and is suspected to have been lightning-caused, was estimated at 16,724 hectares as of July 23. An evacuation order from the TNRD was expanded on July 23, and now includes 193 addressed properties in Electoral Area “E.” An evacuation alert for the same fire now covers approximately 105 addressed properties.
At a public information meeting on Thursday, July 23 the TNRD said that a rapid assessment team has confirmed that 20 properties in the area have suffered structure loss. The owners of all affected properties have been contacted.
The French Bar Creek wildfire, which was discovered on July 4, had grown to an estimated 13,434 hectares as of July 23. The cause of this fire is under investigation. An evacuation order is in place for two addressed and two unaddressed properties in the area of the fire.
For information and maps pertaining to all evacuation orders and alerts issued by the TNRD, visit the TNRD’s Emergency Operations Centre dashboard.
For information and maps pertaining to all evacuation orders and alerts issued by the SLRD, visit the SLRD’s Protective and Emergency Services page.
For information about these fires, and all others currently active in the province, visit the BC Wildfire Service website.
For current and verified information about all evacuation orders and alerts issued around B.C., visit EmergencyInfoBC.
For up-to-date highway information, including highway closures, visit DriveBC.