The Pear Lake wildfire, which forced the evacuation of the entire town of Clinton, B.C., was declared as being held on Saturday. The fire was last measured at 159,909 hectares, or nearly 1600 square kilometres, making it almost five times the size of Okanagan Lake, and one of the largest wildfires in B.C.’s history. Pear Lake was among the fires in what the B.C. Wildfire Service called the Big Bar Complex — also comprised of the Fiftynine Creek, Bonanza Creek and French Bar Creek blazes — all of which are now declared held. When a fire is declared as held, it means that a wildfire “is projected, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary,” according to the BCWS website. Wildfire fight continues Officials say suppression and containment work will continue, though, as crews are still attacking the fire both north and south of Clinton. In an update posted Sunday, the BCWS said isolated pockets within the Pear Lake blaze’s perimeter would continue to burn, adding that these pockets present little risk of spread or growth. “Aerial infrared scanning is being used to identify hotspots, and crews are using the data to locate and extinguish remaining heat, reducing the potential for flare-ups in unburnt fuel pockets,” officials stated. “Crews are working along the fire perimeter on Big Bar Mountain, establishing water delivery and extinguishing active fire. There is a significant amount of work to do to fully secure the fire perimeter in this area.” BCWS data shows 392 firefighters remain in the area working against the Pear Lake blaze, as well as 10 helicopters and 42 pieces of heavy equipment. Evacuation orders have been lifted in and around Clinton for weeks, with the exception of some rural areas, but wildfire officials continue warning locals about potential hazards in wildfire-impacted areas, including weakened trees that may fall unexpectedly, hot ash pits, unstable ground, and increased water runoff, which could cause flooding or debris flows.
