Be prepared to be self-sufficient for several days, be alert for fire, and give yourself space to absorb the changes you’ll see to the landscape.

That was the advice that more than 400 people heard during an online information session on Friday afternoon for residents of Clinton, the surrounding electoral area, and local First Nations who are preparing to return.

The Village of Clinton and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) co-hosted the session, which began with the news that many have been waiting to hear: that as of 8 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15, several evacuation orders for the area are being downgraded to evacuation alerts.

Highway 97 will reopen for residents at 8 a.m. on Saturday, with others being asked to leave the highway clear for returnees until the highway reopens to all at noon.

Jamie Vieira, the TNRD’s Emergency Operations Centre director, started the meeting by saying that in addition to the entirety of the Village of Clinton going to evacuation alert, many residents of TNRD Area “E” will also be able to return as of 8 a.m. on Saturday.

However, he noted that due to the continuing threat posed by the Pear Lake wildfire, approximately 80 TNRD properties on the fire’s west flank will remain on evacuation order. A map showing all affected properties can be found at the TNRD’s Emergency Operations Centre dashboard, and as of 8 a.m. on Saturday residents will be able to check on individual addresses.

The Pear Lake fire is part of the Big Bar complex, and Bryce Moreira — the BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) incident commander of the Big Bar complex — gave a summary of what was happening throughout the fire’s boundaries. As of Friday afternoon (Aug. 14), the fire was estimated at 157,448 hectares.

Moreira noted that residents can expect to still see smoke in the area around Clinton. Any fire spotted burning near or amongst unburnt fuels, such as stands of green trees, should be reported immediately by calling BCWS at 1-800-663-5555 (*5555 on a cellphone).

Rob Ireland, with BC Hydro Operations, said that Hydro’s distribution and transmission systems were severely impacted by the fire, with hundreds of poles lost on both systems. More than 300 people were brought in to carry out repairs over the past few weeks.

He said that the Village of Clinton, and all properties along Highway 97 to the pullout at Big Bar Road, have been re-energized. Work is continuing to restore power to the area north of Clinton and to the west of Highway 97 where the evacuation order is being downgraded, with most properties there expected to be re-energized starting late Saturday afternoon and continuing over the next 24 to 48 hours after that.

Dudley Coulter from BC Hydro told residents that Hydro proactively monitors evacuation orders, so customers do not have to contact them. A credit for unused service during the evacuation period will be reflected on a future bill, while anyone who paid a bill but received a late payment charge will have that waived.

Vieira said that the TNRD was aware that some people do not have a home to return to, and that those evacuees will continue to receive Emergency Support Service (ESS) payments. He noted that anyone in this situation can connect through ESS on renewal dates, and that more information will be coming regarding the length of time the supports will be in place.

Vieira added that anyone with extenuating circumstances that prevent them from returning immediately can contact ESS, who will look into their situation.

The Village of Clinton and the TNRD are partnering on a resiliency centre, which will be located at the Clinton Curling Club (1419 Kellow Lane). The centre will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, with hours to be determined after that. Vieira said that it is intended to eventually be a “one stop shop” where residents can ask questions, get information, and make appointments to speak one-on-one with a case worker about their individual situation.

Free clean-up kits and comfort kits will be available starting Saturday, as well as a comprehensive guide about returning home after a wildfire. Residents will be able to get information about mental health and other supports, as well as get connected with government and non-government organizations that can provide assistance and support.

Residents were advised to return with the expectation that limited services would be available in town, so to be prepared with a few days’-worth of food and as full a tank of gas as possible. Returnees should check yards and properties for hazards, such as danger trees and ash pits, and keep pets and children in the car until the property has been checked.

The Clinton Eco-Depot will be open regular hours (Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with hours to be assessed after that. Waste from fridges and freezers should be double-bagged and brought to the Eco-Depot, and empty fridges and freezers can be brought for recycling at no charge. Fridges and freezers that have not been emptied can also be brought to the Eco-Depot, where there will be a fee based on weight.

Small amounts of ash or burned debris can be double-bagged and brought to the Eco-Depot, but anyone dealing with a large amount of burnt debris should contact the TNRD. Anyone dealing with ash or burnt material was cautioned to be careful, as it could contain toxic material.

Vieira said that the vast majority of property owners within the TNRD in the Clinton area have their own private well, and it was recommended that they get their water and sewer systems checked.

Brian Doddridge, the Clinton CAO, said that while the Clinton water system is operating, a Boil Water advisory is in place for the time being. Any water that is to be used for drinking, ice, cooking with, or brushing teeth should be boiled for at least one minute first until further notice. Washing clothes or dishes with it without treatment is fine.

Doddridge noted that while the decision to downgrade the evacuation order was made by Clinton council, it was made in conjunction with the Ministry of Transport, the TNRD, BCWS, and the Whispering Pines and High Bar Indian Bands.

“We balanced the need to have services in place with people wanting to come home. People indicated that they wanted to come home soon, and that everything didn’t have to be perfect.”

Doddridge reiterated the need to be prepared to be self-sufficient for a few days after returning, but added that people who felt they needed more time did not have to return immediately. He noted that as the Village is still on evacuation alert, people need to be prepared to leave at short notice. Plumes of smoke would still be visible around town, he said, adding that there would also still be a large number of emergency vehicles in and around the community.

There had been no reports of looting in town, but fire crews had been FireSmarting some properties, moving items away from homes to. prevent fires. “They moved some items to make your home or property safe, so things might not be where you left them.”

Finally, Doddridge cautioned returnees to be prepared for the damage they would see, to both the natural and built environments, and to concentrate on the road instead of what’s around them.

“It can be very distressing to see. The environment has changed. It doesn’t look the same coming into town, so make sure you give yourself the space you need to process that.”

For information about highway closures, visit DriveBC. For information about properties in the TNRD affected by the downgrade, and those that are still on alert, visit the TNRD Emergency Operations dashboard.

The Clinton EOC can be contacted at 250-377-6313. The TNRD’s EOC can be contacted at 250-377-7188 (toll-free at 1-866-377-7188).

For information about the Pear Lake wildfire, and all other fires burning with the province, visit the BC Wildfire Service website.

Port Alberni Valley News

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