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This handout still image from a video shot on Saturday, July 25, 2026, shows the smouldering aftermath of the Pear Lake wildfire that swept towards Clinton, B.C., a day earlier. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout — Facebook, Joey Johnson (Mandatory Credit)
By The Canadian Press

Campers hit with fire fines as B.C. battles blazes and Village of Clinton counts cost

Jul 28, 2026 | 2:00 AM

CLINTON, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA — Conservation officers in British Columbia discovered numerous illegal campfires during spot checks over the weekend, as wildfire crews battle out-of-control blazes that are threatening communities in the south of the province.

The B.C. Conservation Officer Service said in a statement on social media on Monday that it issued 19 violation tickets and almost $22,000 in fines.

“Claiming you didn’t know about the campfire ban is not an acceptable excuse,” it said.

Campfire bans are in place in the Cariboo, Kamloops and Southeast fire centres, and parts of coastal B.C., while bans on larger fires cover almost all other areas.

The crackdown came as authorities in the Village of Clinton, B.C., about 350 kilometres northeast of Vancouver, were assessing damage after residents were forced to flee their homes last week in the face of a fire complex that has prompted expanding evacuation orders.

Mayor Roland Stanke said in a social media post on Monday that people whose properties suffered damage would be contacted personally, while fire crews in the community continued to stamp out smouldering embers to prevent flare-ups.

Premier David Eby said Tuesday that he understood some Clinton residents may be hearing they had lost homes or businesses.

“I just want to say I know all British Columbians are thinking of those folks right now and knowing, with the wildfire seasons we’ve had, that this threat is present in every corner of the province,” he told an unrelated news conference.

“Our hearts go out to the people who are hearing that horrible news,” he said, adding the community is strong and the province would stand by residents during the rebuilding process.

Eby also praised the work of firefighters to save much of the village itself.

The Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires merged over the weekend to span nearly 670 square kilometres in the latest estimate from the BC Wildfire Service.

The blaze is among about 135 active fires across B.C., with about 50 burning out of control.

Forests Minister Ravi Parmar said the province welcomed 25 firefighting personnel from the Yukon on Monday to help fight the blazes.

Jean Strong with BC Wildfire Service said another 66 personnel from Alberta were set to arrive Tuesday, and about 200 from Mexico would arrive next week.

Strong said in a video posted Tuesday that around 20 of the out-of-control blazes were smaller than 10 hectares, while 30 were larger.

Cooler temperatures had helped quell fire activity in recent days, but hot, dry, windy weather was expected to return heading into the August long weekend, she said.

The wildfire service said in an update Tuesday that winds were expected to strengthen in the Clinton area with gusts at speeds of 50 to 60 kilometres per hour.

Temperatures were expected to be around 17 to 21 C with relative humidity between 30 and 40 per cent.

“With this weather outlook extreme fire behaviour is expected (Tuesday) and significant growth on these incidents is possible,” the service said.

Evacuation orders span both sides of Highway 97 from south of Clinton to north of 70 Mile House, with lower-level alerts covering surrounding areas in the south Cariboo.

Stanke, the mayor of Clinton, said in his post that people who have defied the evacuation order in the village would have to boil their water, since a reservoir bypass has allowed untreated water to be used to fight the flames.

He said BC Hydro crews were also assessing damage before power could be restored in the village, which has about 650 residents.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press