Massive Pear Lake wildfire devastates Clinton ranch as owner fights flames

The Pear Lake wildfire raged through Clinton, British Columbia, leaving a trail of destruction at Firefly Ranch. Owner Barb Edmonson described the inferno as a "hurricane" of black ash, sand, and gravel, forcing her to make agonizing choices about which of her livelihood's structures to save.

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We were hit with the vortex of black ash, sand, gravel, it was like being in a hurricane.

Edmonson recounted the terrifying experience, stating, "We were hit with the vortex of black ash, sand, gravel, it was like being in a hurricane." She described having to grab a hose and rinse her face just to breathe. Despite an evacuation order, she remained to defend her property, only to find that structural defense supplies were depleted and the single pump provided quickly seized.

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It was completely … the grit in your eyes and you had to hold your head down.

Eleven structures were lost at Firefly Ranch, including historic buildings dating back to 1896 and this year's hay crop stored in a barn. Edmonson managed to save her arena and moved her cattle and horses to safety before the fire hit. "That is a lifetime in the making," she said of her ranch, adding, "And when crews tell you to leave your property because your life is worth more… no, that is my life."

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We were told there was nothing left for fire protection… No structural supplies… were all gone. And they said we happen to have one pump left, though. Where would you like it? I said I would like that barn out there protected… They put a few garden hoses in trees and sprinklers and in my fence post. I had nothing on that structure whatsoever and then the pump seized, so it wasn’t even working.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Edmonson's rebuilding efforts. The extent of the damage to fields and fencing means it is currently unclear when livestock can return to the region.

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That is a lifetime in the making.