Hundreds of individuals who were evacuated from the Clinton area due to the Pear Lake wildfire are scheduled to return to their homes, with Highway 97 near Cache Creek set to fully reopen at noon. Evacuation orders for residents near Summerland and West Kelowna have been downgraded, allowing thousands to return home. The B.C. Wildfire Service forecasts that wildfire smoke will move into central parts of the province over the weekend.
Evacuation orders in the Clinton area are being lifted, transitioning to evacuation alerts for numerous properties, including the entire Village of Clinton. Across the province, thousands of evacuees returned to their residences on Friday. Clinton Mayor Roland Stanke advises returning residents to prepare for a changed landscape and community, emphasizing that the recovery process will take time.
Officials estimate that around 100 homes were destroyed by the Pear Lake wildfire, prompting damage assessments across British Columbia. Residents returning home are cautioned about potential hazards like fallen trees, intermittent power, and wildlife encounters. Craig Cruickshank and Melanie Germain, who were evacuated due to the Quilpituk Creek wildfire near West Kelowna, expressed relief upon their return despite the ongoing challenges.
As of Friday night, British Columbia reported over 120 active wildfires, primarily in the southern region. The Pear Lake wildfire remains the largest at 1,574 square kilometers, while the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland continues to burn uncontrollably at nearly 198 square kilometers. The BCWS anticipates the return of wildfire smoke to central areas of the province, which could influence fire behavior and air quality.
Highway 97, closed since July 28 due to the Pear Lake wildfire, is set to reopen fully on Saturday at noon, with restrictions in place due to the active fire situation. Other road closures persist, including a section of Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon due to the Brunswick Creek wildfire complex near Boston Bar, covering an extensive area as of the latest update.