Officials in British Columbia have expanded evacuation orders linked to the province’s largest wildfire. The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District took action on Saturday, broadening an evacuation order for an area south of the Pear Lake wildfire to encompass properties near Highway 99 in the Marble Canyon region. Similarly, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District also extended an evacuation order along Highway 99, west of the Highway 97 junction. These expansions now impact nearly 200 properties collectively. In addition, the Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation has issued evacuation orders for several reserves.
Furthermore, all three governing bodies have widened evacuation alerts. The Pear Lake wildfire has scorched over 1,647 square kilometers, leading to the destruction of structures on more than 120 properties, mainly around Clinton. The fire’s current active zones are primarily along its western and southern boundaries.
In a separate development, Environment Canada has issued a yellow severe thunderstorm watch covering much of the B.C. Interior, Cariboo, and Metro Vancouver, with severe thunderstorm warnings active for parts of Vancouver Island. The department advises immediate sheltering if a thunderstorm approaches. The B.C. Wildfire Service has cautioned about shifting weather patterns potentially bringing dry lightning strikes and high winds to the southern and central Interior, with gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour possible.
Meanwhile, a new lightning-sparked wildfire near Kamloops, in the Jacko Lake area, prompted crews to respond on Saturday. By evening, the fire had expanded to 44 hectares and was deemed “being held,” indicating no expected spread beyond current boundaries. The wildfire service has dispatched 19 personnel and air crews to the scene, reporting good progress and ongoing efforts to establish and reinforce containment lines.
As of Saturday evening, British Columbia was contending with over 150 active wildfires, with nearly 60 classified as out of control. The provincial government has extended the state of emergency related to wildfires until at least August 29.
