Residents of 70 Mile House and nearby communities are being urged to prepare for a planned evacuation order that will take effect at 10 a.m. Monday as the Pear Lake wildfire continues to grow.
The wildfire, now part of the Big Bar fire complex in British Columbia’s Cariboo region, expanded after merging with the Fiftynine Creek fire on Saturday. The combined blaze has grown to more than 66,000 hectares and has already forced hundreds of people, including residents of Clinton, to leave their homes.
Fire officials said cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Sunday have provided some relief, but dry conditions are expected to keep the wildfire active. The fire continues to spread north, and crews have not yet been able to assess damage in some areas because it remains unsafe. There are unconfirmed reports that homes and businesses have been destroyed.
Wildfires have also forced the closure of several highways, including parts of Highways 1 and 97. Air quality warnings remain in effect across much of the province due to heavy wildfire smoke.
More than 140 wildfires were burning across British Columbia as of Sunday, with about 60 considered out of control. Firefighters from Yukon, Alberta and Mexico are expected to arrive to help battle the ongoing wildfire emergency.
