A wildfire located northwest of Clinton, B.C., has caused damage or destruction to buildings on approximately 20 properties, according to a local official.
Kevin Skrepnek, who serves as the director of emergency operations for the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD), reported that the damage occurred last Friday, with effects ranging from melted siding to entire structures being consumed by flames.
“The number of destroyed structures is likely in the dozens. Regrettably, some of those were homes,” he mentioned.
Officials conducted assessments of the affected properties shortly after the Fiftynine Creek fire swept through the region and subsequently reached out to the property owners. The community was updated on the devastation during a meeting held on Thursday.
“This fire remains very active, so it’s possible we may see additional damage in the coming days and weeks,” Skrepnek warned.
The Fiftynine Creek fire, as seen on July 21. (B.C. Wildfire Service)
The fire, which covers over 108 square kilometers, has necessitated the evacuation of the area surrounding Big Bar Lake, and the entire village of Clinton, home to several hundred residents, was placed under an evacuation alert late Wednesday.
The B.C. Wildfire Service indicated that crews combating the Big Bar Complex fires, which include the French Bar Creek and Pear Lake wildfires, are facing challenges due to hot and dry weather, with expectations of further fire growth and increased activity on Thursday.
Mikhail Elsay, an information officer with the service, stated that crews are concentrating on containing the Fiftynine Creek fire to the area just south of Big Bar Road.
“Our team is currently engaged in an active firefight there to prevent the fire from advancing further north,” he explained during the briefing.
According to Elsay, the fire has reached control lines on its northern edge.
The wildfire service noted that conditions are particularly difficult near the southeast corner of the fire.
Fire crews continue to protect properties located northwest of Big Bar Lake and along the Big Bar Road corridor, with helicopters assisting in efforts to slow the fire’s progression.
Family steps up to feed wildfire crews
While crews are focused on battling the fire, Nick Kosovic and his mother Maria, who run the Stagecoach Cafe in Clinton, have been working tirelessly since Saturday to ensure firefighters are well-fed.
“We have been putting in about 18-hour days preparing meals for the wildfire fighters, who have been gradually increasing in number, and finally they have set up their camp cook, so we are a bit relieved,” Nick shared with Carolina de Ryk on CBC’s Radio West.
He mentioned that he and his mother have been taking turns sleeping in order to keep up with the demands of feeding the intense fire crews.
“These men and women eat like horses, burning perhaps 3,000, 4,000, or even 5,000 calories a day, which means their meals are not just regular sizes,” he noted.
“We’re talking about a quarter of a lasagna each.”
Despite the long hours, Maria expressed that the experience has been fulfilling, with the entire community rallying to provide assistance.
“It has been incredible how friends are reaching out, asking if we need anything. ‘I’m shopping in Kamloops, I’m shopping in Ashcroft,’ and they bring groceries to us,” she said.
“They are doing this for the firefighters here, for the men and women working so hard for us. We are truly grateful.”
Initially, Nick was sleeping at the café due to the long days, but now he is doing so out of necessity after his home was placed under an evacuation order because of the fire.
As of Thursday, approximately 65 firefighters, 13 helicopters, 57 heavy equipment vehicles, and 77 resources for structure protection were actively engaged in battling the fires.