Clearwater’s mayor is advising residents to be prepared as wildfires burn throughout the Cariboo and threaten communities.
On Friday, July 24, just under 600 residents of the Village of Clinton and the surrounding area were put under evacuation orders due to the Pear Lake wildfire (4472.3 ha) west of the community.
Other wildfires burning in the Cariboo Fire Centre and Kamloops Fire Centre include the Fiftynine Creek fire (16,723.5 ha), the French Bar Creek fire (13,434 ha), the Bonanza Creek fire (7,000 ha) and the Felker Fire (3,940 ha). Evacuation alerts and orders are in place for all of the blazes, according to the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
On Friday evening, July 24, Clearwater experienced dark and hazy conditions, with residents on a local Facebook group noting a feeling of unease.
As of Saturday morning, the closest wildfire to Clearwater was the Bowers Lake wildfire, which sits between the town and 100 Mile House. Bowers Lake is roughly 60 km west of Clearwater, with a similar distance to 100 Mile House from the east.
The Bowers Lake wildfire remains 150 hectares, the same as it was last Saturday. It is noted as out of control. There are 54 firefighting personnel, aviation resources, heavy equipment and structure protection personnel assigned to the blaze. An evacuation order was issued for local residents in the Bowers Lake fire area on Friday, July 17.
In light of the situation, Clearwater Mayor Merlin Blackwell posted to his Facebook page on Saturday morning with a list of ways to be prepared in the event of a wildfire.
“We are in full wildfire season,” the mayor said.
Blackwell noted the evacuations in Clinton and the surrounding area due to the fires, as well as a threat to the primary power grid to the south coast.
“The conditions around Clinton are very similar to what we have around here,” he said.
He added that he is receiving detailed updates on the Clinton situation two-to-three times a day, along with information about other fires of note in the TNRD area.
The Upper Clearwater Volunteer Fire Brigade posted a reminder Saturday morning to prepare for possible power outages due to the fires.
“Have your vehicles filled with fuel, carry a jerry can in case evacuations are necessary, long lineups at gas pumps and possible power outages can become an issue,” the fire brigade said.
“Also have some jerry cans filled at home for generators in case of power outages. We hope that you all remain safe out there and look out for one another.”
Ways to prepare
“Are you ready in the event we need to evacuate on short notice?” Blackwell asked.
Here is the mayor’s list of wildfire preparedness considerations:
- Is your vehicle and trailer insurance up to date? You can renew up to a month in advance, and you can finance most policies.
- Have you started making a “bug out” bag? Case of water, three days of clothes, medications, important papers, emergency food, pet food, phone charger, etc.
- Where’s your home insurance policy? Do you have a folder with critical documents?
- Do you have Voyent Alert updated? It works via cellphone, email and landline. Do you have a list of emergency contacts?
- Where are you going to evacuate to? Emergency services will work with the most vulnerable and those who need transportation, but the rest of us need to touch base with friends or relatives that we could stay with in another town for a week if we needed to.
- Pets, livestock, and other animals?
- Have we prepared our home for wildfire? All flammable materials — cardboard boxes, garbage, firewood, gas cans, wood piles, basically anything that you could throw in a burn barrel should be three meters from your home, and three meters from your neighbours’ home
- Are there any last-minute FireSmart things you could do to your home?
- Do you have sprinklers hooked up? If so, will firefighters find them? Remember not to turn them on, especially if you are on town water… the firefighters need to control where water gets used and when.
Blackwell shared a link to the BC FireSmart website for further information.
“There is a lot to think about,” he said.
“Do it now before we get to alert or order stage. We know that internet and cellphone coverage gets bogged down when something is happening in town, so have your plan ready in advance.”
Voyent Alert! can be downloaded on the App Store for critical messages to be sent directly to your phone.
The TNRD website can be followed for information about evacuation alerts and orders, along with Emergency Info BC.
Wildfire information can be followed at the BC Wildfire Service website.
Clearwater resident helps family evacuate
Maddy Beka Capostinsky of Clearwater posted on Friday at 11:34 a.m. that she was headed to Clinton to help family evacuate due to the fire.
At 1:54 p.m. that day, she posted a picture of herself with family members in a vehicle.
“Precious cargo acquired so their parents can stay back and help. It’s thick smoke here and hard to breathe. The wind has picked up significantly,” she said.
At 5:53 p.m., she posted again.
“Three hours ago and I just got them out and the order just got pushed further outside of Clinton towards 70 Mile and now more people are being evacuated,” she said, adding her sister got a knock on the door about evacuating.
“I’m devastated for Clinton and area,” she said.
“Tears streaming down my face watching my family and friends fight to save their homes and animals from the Clinton fire,” Capostinsky said in a post at 8:33 p.m.
“I am so sorry.”
— With files from Barbara Roden