Evacuees await update as wildfire continues near Clinton, B.C.

Hundreds of evacuees still do not have a timeline for returning home as the Pear Lake wildfire continues to threaten Clinton, B.C., and nearby communities. Fire crews reported a slight reprieve after a cold front and a small amount of precipitation, but the blaze remains difficult to contain in very dry conditions. The ThompsonNicola Regional District has scheduled a virtual public meeting on Wednesday afternoon to brief evacuees. The Village of Clinton says roads, bridges, air quality, water quality, and essential services still need to be assessed before the evacuation order can be lifted. Officials say early damage checks suggest no buildings or businesses in Clinton itself were destroyed, although properties south of the village were heavily affected. Across British Columbia, more than 130 wildfires are still burning, with about 50 classified as out of control.