A rapid damage assessment has been conducted on the massive Pear Lake wildfire burning in B.C.’s Southern Interior, and some of the evacuees who have lost their homes will be notified over the coming days. The Thompson Nicola Regional District told CTV News the blaze—which has grown to an estimated 1,100 square kilometres—has destroyed structures on approximately 120 properties within its jurisdiction. Colton Davies, information officer with the TNRD, said some of the damage was confirmed in the areas of Big Bar Lake and Chasm, as well as along Highway 97 south of Clinton and west of the village on Kelly Lake Road. “We haven’t been able to access all of the areas where we believe there may be additional structure losses from the Pear Lake fire,” Davies added. “If it’s safe to do so, we’re hoping to be able to do those assessments in the coming days and get the full picture.” Those approximately 120 properties are mostly residential, though officials said in some cases only garages, sheds and other outbuildings were burned while the homes themselves remain standing. Davies noted the tally does not include properties outside the TNRD’s jurisdiction, such as those within Clinton. While conditions have improved since the weekend, when strong winds fanned the flames of some of B.C.’s worst wildfires, Davies said all of the evacuation orders related to the Pear Lake wildfire remain in place—and it’s unclear when evacuees may be able to return and see their properties with their own eyes. In the meantime, staff are working to notify people who have suffered property losses this week. “It’s a time-consuming process—we don’t rush anybody on these calls,” Davies said. “It’s heartbreaking news for people to take in.”
