Two wildfires in northern British Columbia merged late Saturday, intensifying threats to nearby communities, including the village of Clinton and the surrounding region. The Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires combined into a single, highly active blaze, moving north and northeast near the Chasm area, approximately 20 kilometres north of Clinton, according to the BC Wildfire Service.

The merged fire's anticipated northward expansion prompted the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to issue an evacuation notice Sunday for the community of 70 Mile House and adjacent areas. The evacuation order is scheduled to take effect at 10 a.m. Monday, with residents urged to prepare to leave. Meanwhile, the south Green Lake area remains on evacuation alert.

Clinton was placed under evacuation on Friday as the Pear Lake fire surged, destroying several structures on the outskirts of the village. A local official confirmed the loss of buildings, although most of the village itself was spared significant damage. However, Steve Larabie, owner of a towing and autobody business about three kilometres south of Clinton, reported losing his business and two homes. Larabie described vehicles and equipment burning amid explosions of gasoline and diesel fuel, forcing him and his family to evacuate.

Fire crews continue efforts to protect structures in Clinton and combat active fire zones. BC Wildfire Service fire information officer Shae Stearns said Sunday that while the fire no longer has a defined advancing front toward Clinton, extensive ground firefighting remains necessary.

Updated mapping shows the combined Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires now cover nearly 670 square kilometres. The French Bar Creek fire, part of the Big Bar complex, continues burning to the northwest, encompassing around 250 square kilometres.

The merged fire has crossed a section of Highway 97, causing damage that will require repairs. On the highway’s eastern side, the fire is moving into an area previously affected by wildfire, which is expected to moderate its intensity. However, ongoing drought conditions continue to create dry fuel, heightening the risk of rapid fire spread despite recent cooler temperatures and higher humidity.

Farther east, the Central Okanagan emergency management centre lifted an evacuation alert Sunday for more than 500 properties in the La Casa area north of West Kelowna after a nearby fire, initially considered out of control, saw fire activity decrease and no further spotting or spread reported.

In the Fraser Canyon, evacuation orders remained in place for Boston Bar and surrounding areas due to the Brunswick complex of fires, which cover more than 355 square kilometres. Officials temporarily shut off the local water supply last week to prioritize firefighting needs, but they are now investigating vandalism after the system’s valve was improperly reopened, potentially risking significant damage. Staff quickly responded to re-shut the supply, and damage assessments are ongoing.

The Brunswick and Ainslie Creek fires continue moving south along opposite sides of the Fraser Canyon but have shown limited growth in recent days. The Anderson Creek fire remains active where it has merged with the Ainslie Creek blaze, burning unburned fuel patches.

As of Sunday, nearly three dozen evacuation orders and close to 30 evacuation alerts were in effect across British Columbia, primarily in the central and southern Interior regions. While some areas saw brief rainfall and cooler weather over the weekend, much of the province continues to grapple with drought and limited precipitation.

Additional wildfire crews from Yukon Protective Services, Alberta Wildfire, and Mexico are expected to arrive in British Columbia in the coming days to assist local efforts against roughly 140 active wildfires.