Pear Lake wildfire and aftermath in Clinton

The Village of Clinton in British Columbia has been under an evacuation order since July 24, 2026, due to the Pear Lake wildfire, which was estimated to cover 147,677 hectares by mid-August.

In response to unauthorized entry into the evacuated community, authorities issued more than $15,000 in fines to individuals, citing safety risks to emergency personnel and the potential diversion of resources. While power was restored to the village on August 7, the evacuation order remained in effect as contractors and specialists worked to restore essential services.

By late August, the situation shifted toward managing secondary geological risks. While some areas received an ‘all clear’, evacuation alerts were maintained for certain properties due to flood risks and slope instability caused by the wildfire. The loss of vegetation has increased the likelihood of runoff carrying debris into Clinton Creek, posing a threat to a railway embankment culvert. Additionally, officials expressed concern that shifting slopes could destabilize the local water treatment plant, the water main, or road access to the facility.