Two wildfires burning near each other that have prompted numerous evacuation orders and alerts joined on Saturday evening, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service.
Shae Stearns, a fire information officer with the service, said the Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek wildfires combined around Highway 97 near Chasm Road.
The two fires are part of the Big Bar complex, located in British Columbia’s Cariboo region, and have forced hundreds of people to evacuate their homes, including in the village of Clinton.
Stearns said there are slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Sunday, but general conditions are still not conducive to firefighting efforts.
“With the prevailing drought conditions, we are still anticipating to see quite elevated behaviour,” she said, adding that the fire is progressing north.
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Amanda Bennett Arrieta with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District said it has not been able to inspect for damage yet because of safety concerns, but it has received unconfirmed reports that there has been damage to homes and some commercial properties.
“We’re not expecting that things will quiet down,” Arrieta said. “We know it’s a difficult time and we hope to get through this as quickly as possible.”
Steven Larabie told CBC News he lost his business and his home, located south of Clinton, on Friday night due to the fire.
B.C. wildfire evacuees describe chaotic escape
Several roads across the province are closed because of wildfires, including Highway 1 between Lytton and Yale and Highway 97 for 40 kilometres through Clinton.
For the most updated information, check Drive B.C.
Environment Canada has issued an air quality warning due to wildfire smoke for much of the province, including the Okanagan, Cariboo, Boundary and Fraser Canyon.
As of Sunday morning, there are more than 140 wildfires moving through the province, with 60 burning out of control.
The wildfire service said personnel from the Yukon, Alberta and Mexico are expected to arrive in B.C. over the coming days and weeks to help fight the blazes.
“In years past, B.C. has been really proud to support our neighbours by sending our resources out…. Now it’s our turn to have them here helping us,” fire information officer Jean Strong said.
