Officials ordered the entire Village of Clinton, B.C., to evacuate on Friday, July 24, 2026, as the fast-growing Pear Lake wildfire threatened the community. The order follows a period of aggressive fire behavior and wind-driven eastward growth, forcing residents to relocate to a reception centre in Kamloops.
The evacuation of Clinton was not a sudden surprise, but the timing was brutal. Residents had been under an alert since Wednesday, watching as the Pear Lake wildfire—part of the broader Big Bar fire complex—became increasingly volatile. By Friday, the municipality upgraded the alert to a full order, instructing residents to gather your family and, if you have room, take a neighbour or someone needing transportation
.
The Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek Threat
The Pear Lake wildfire, suspected to have been caused by lightning and first discovered on July 17, grew to more than 44 square kilometres by Friday morning. The B.C. Wildfire Service reported that the blaze exhibited Rank 4 fire behaviour along the east flank
on the night of July 23, characterized by an organized flame front and a fast rate of spread. Southwest winds pushed the growth further east into the valley, challenging crews working in steep, rocky terrain.
The danger is compounded by the Fiftynine Creek wildfire, which has burned more than 167 square kilometres. Mayor Roland Stanke expressed concern that the Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires could merge, adding that the latter is heading toward the highway to the north. This proximity created a critical risk for the village’s infrastructure; Stanke noted that the fire was getting dangerously close to the highway up north.
Evacuation Scale and Regional Impact
The evacuation effort extended beyond the village limits. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) expanded orders for properties in Electoral Area “E” (Bonaparte-Plateau), impacting 60 new properties and bringing the total number of evacuated properties outside the municipality to 118. Additionally, a new alert was issued for 11 properties along Highway 97 south of Clinton.
To facilitate the exit, the village deployed buses to the community hall for those lacking transportation. For security, additional RCMP were brought in, as Highway 97 dissects the town and is prone to security issues during tactical evacuations. A section of Highway 97 through the Village of Clinton is currently closed to traffic.
Evacuees were directed to the McArthur Island Sport and Events Centre in Kamloops.
Property Loss and Structural Damage
The Big Bar Complex has already left a trail of destruction. Colton Davies with the Thompson Nicola Regional District reported that at least a dozen properties, including homes, garages, and sheds, were fully destroyed by the Fiftynine Creek fire.
Most of the damage occurred on the south side of Big Bar Lake, where houses and recreational cottages were lost. While some residents were fortunate enough to see their homes saved, others faced total loss. For those already displaced, the return is not immediate.
Personal Toll on the Clinton Community
For longtime residents, the evacuation was an emotional breaking point. Bernice Weihs-Anderson, a former 12-year volunteer firefighter, spent her final hours in the village fire-proofing her hobby farm for new owners after a two-year struggle to sell the property. She described the experience of leaving during a crisis as heartbreaking
and noted that it felt a bit like a traitor
not to be able to stay.
Other residents described a landscape of orange-and-black smoke and falling ash. Mary Ann McKenzie reported seeing big plumes of smoke from the Pear Lake fire, which she identified as the most concerning blaze at the time.
The vulnerability of the population was a primary concern.
Operational Response and Future Outlook
The B.C. Wildfire Service has deployed a significant fleet to the Pear Lake incident, including 15 helicopters, 19 pieces of heavy equipment, and 53 firefighting personnel, supported by 11 structure protection staff. Despite these assets, officials warn that hot and dry conditions, coupled with an anticipated cold front, will likely increase winds and fire activity.
The regional outlook remains grim. The Cariboo Fire Centre is currently fighting nine out of control wildfires, with the French Bar Creek and Fiftynine Creek blazes remaining the largest.
As the situation evolves, the immediate focus remains on structural defense and monitoring the potential merger of the Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires. Residents and property owners must wait for official clearance before attempting to re-enter the evacuation zones.
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