Wind, lightning in forecast as cold front adds new challenge in B.C. wildfire fight

The B.C. Wildfire Service says it’s bracing for a cold front that is forecast to move through the southern Interior, bringing strong winds and the potential for lightning.

The forecast is threatening to deliver “more fire intensity and more fire activity,” said fire information officer Aydan Coray.

“While cooler temperatures sound positive, we are anticipating this will be a very dynamic fire day,” Coray added.

There are more than 100 wildfires burning across the province, close to half of them are classified as out of control.

WATCH | Crews brace for cold front in B.C. wildfire fight:

Cold front to bring challenges for wildfire crews across the province: BCWS

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the Big Bar wildfire complex in the Caribou, and the Brunswick wildfire complex in the Fraser Canyon, are of great concern, with a cold front moving across the province this long weekend, starting on Saturday. As the CBC’s Michelle Morton reports, it’s expected to bring challenging conditions for fire crews in the southern half of B.C.

Wildfire crews said they conducted a 160-hectare planned ignition north of Clinton on Friday evening to remove unburned fuel and tie the Pear Lake fire into existing containment lines.

Earlier Friday, officials expanded evacuation orders related to the massive 904 square kilometre (90,400 hectares) Pear Lake fire near Clinton as well as the 11.5 square kilometre (1,150 hectares) Riley Creek fire south of Lillooet.

As of Friday night there were 32 evacuation orders in effect, along with 30 more evacuation alerts.

WATCH | Growth of Pear Lake wildfire triggers new evacuations:

Pear Lake wildfire grows, prompting new evacuation orders

The Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton continues to burn out of control, prompting new evacuation orders in the south Cariboo region. Hundreds of properties in the Loon Lake and Green Lake areas are now under an evacuation order. The CBC’s Shelley Joyce reports from Kamloops.

‘We need a state of emergency’

One Pear Lake wildfire evacuee is calling for the province to step up support, saying it is time to declare a state of emergency.

Blake Bolster stayed at his home south of Clinton until the last minute last Friday, setting up sprinklers and irrigation before loading his dogs into his motorhome and escaping to join his family.

“I could hear my cousin’s house blow up. And when I heard that, I thought, OK,” he said.

“I watched it as it approached the tree line that was on my property, and at that point I decided I didn’t want to watch my house burn down.”

He told CBC said he appreciates the work fire crews are doing, but feels the province isn’t dedicating enough resources to his tiny community.

“If this was happening in a larger centre, there would be a state of emergency called,” he said.

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar told CBC News crews are doing everything they can to protect homes.

“What we are seeing from the Pear Lake fire is extreme fire behaviour,” he said.

“I have a duty as does the B.C. Wildfire Service leadership to ensure we are not putting our wildland firefighters, our aerial equipment at risk, their safety and the safety of residents is our utmost priority.”

Bolster said he has since learned that his home was destroyed.