Additional evacuation orders and alerts south of Pear Lake, B.C., wildfire

Evacuations expand as Pear Lake fire grows

More evacuation orders and alerts are in place for properties in B.C.'s south Cariboo region as the massive Pear Lake wildfire continues to grow. The Thompson-Nicola Regional District issued an order for two properties along Highway 99 west of Cache Creek on Saturday, bringing the total to 81 evacuated properties in the Bonaparte Plateau and Blue Sky Country areas. Four additional properties are under an expanded evacuation alert to the south, where more than 1,500 properties in the Bonaparte Plateau remain under alert.

The Squamish-Lillooet Regional District says its updated evacuation order and alerts now cover more than 100 properties in the Pavilion and Marble lake areas. The Pear Lake wildfire has grown to more than 1,600 square kilometres, as the BC Wildfire Service warns unstable weather could bring high winds and dry lightning across the southern and central B.C. Interior on Saturday. The province remains under a state of emergency due to wildfires burning across the province.

New fire south of Kamloops

Lightning sparked a new wildfire just south of Kamloops on Saturday. The fire near Jacko Lake grew to about half a kilometre squared in just a few hours' time and is considered out of control. As of Saturday afternoon, the fire is burning in areas mostly containing grassy fuels and no structures are at imminent risk. No evacuation advisories have been issued for the Jacko Lake fire.

Nineteen firefighters are working on the ground to fight the fire, according to the BC Wildfire Service. Multiple air tankers and three helicopters are also making runs, and fire retardant has been dropped along the north and east flanks of the fire.

Summerland residents face loss and missing pets

In Summerland, Robin Gibbs' home burned down nearly to its foundation amid the Bald Range wildfire, but he says the devastation doesn't compare to the emotion of knowing the family dog is still missing. Boris, a four-year-old St. Bernard born on Canada Day, was outside on the family's acreage when Gibbs' wife and daughters had to evacuate in a hurry as the wildfire surged unexpectedly on the night of Aug. 7.

Gibbs was working in Fort Nelson at the time, and the family was eventually able to reunite, minus their furry friend. He learned both his and his brother's homes burned down, but Gibbs said losing Boris feels worse. "One's property. Boris felt like a member of the family. I actually feel more sad about the dog," he said, adding his two young daughters understand that Boris might not be coming home. "He's their best friend."

Faulder, B.C., resident Brad Besler shared a similar sentiment about his dog Mable, a nine-year-old Presa Canario. Besler raced home to get to Mable and save his property amid the evacuation, but was only able to retrieve his other dog, Kodi. His home also burned down, but Besler said the hardest part of his ordeal is not knowing what happened to his pet. "Mable had a wonderful personality. She was really loving. She was so friendly. She was a loved member of the family," he said.

Dozens of pets remain missing in Summerland as a result of the fires, while others have been found singed or injured. The BC SPCA in Kelowna shared an update about the "warrior kitty" found covered in ash near Faulder last week, which had to be euthanized because of its injuries. "Our hearts are heavy, but we're so grateful for the love and care the vet showed him during his final moments," the society said in a social media post Thursday.

Besler said he's not giving up hope Mable could be found. "I go back and forth on the emotions. And so I try not to really think worst-case scenario, because that's tough," he said.

Thousands of Summerland residents have returned home this week. Regional officials have said residents must boil their water upon returning. Evacuation orders remain in effect for some rural areas, including Faulder. The cause of the Bald Range wildfire is unknown and is being investigated.

As the situation evolves, officials continue to monitor the weather and the fires, with the Pear Lake fire now the largest active wildfire in the province.