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VIDEO: Clinton-area residents say controlled burn went 91Ƶhorribly wrong91Ƶ

Officials point to a 91Ƶdramatic and unforecasted shift91Ƶ in the wind
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Residents near 20 Mile Ranch and south of Clinton are voicing their anger on social media after what they call a 91Ƶcontrolled burn gone horribly wrong91Ƶ caused the flames to jump across Highway 97.

Photos posted to Facebook on Tuesday show heavy smoke near rural properties in the Loon Lake area near Maiden Creek.

91ƵIt was about 15 minutes from the time they started until the hydro transistor on the big pole blew apart and maybe a few more minutes until it crossed west onto Hwy 97,91Ƶ one post on the reads.

91ƵThere were some very strong winds blowing when they started that didn91Ƶt just magically appear after the burn was already going. This fire is now raging on another mountainside and it91Ƶs going to be a beastly one to gain any control on.91Ƶ

Fire information officer Heather Rice said Wednesday morning fire crews were focused on holding the fire on the hill, away from the highway.

91ƵWe actioned that immediately with lots of water from the helicopters and air skimmers and were able to hold that fire,91Ƶ Rice said. 91ƵIt went up to the top of the ridge and then stalled, which is often what happens in the evening when a fire hits the top of a hill. So the plan today is, of course, to hold it in that particular spot.91Ƶ

Highway 97 remains closed from Loon Lake to the Hwy. 99 junction. An evacuation order was issued for areas Wednesday afternoon.

Chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said Wednesday afternoon there had been a 91Ƶdramatic and unforecasted shift in the wind,91Ƶ which caused the fire spillover.

91ƵAt the time it was ignited, the weather was as forecasted and a lot of design goes into when we do these things,91Ƶ he said.

91ƵThe fact of the matter is when fires get to this size, the use of the controlled ignition is one of the best hacks that we have in terms of trying to control them.91Ƶ

I am writing this post from Maiden Creek in the middle of our field at 4:15 am. It is with the saddest of heart that I...

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About the Author: Ashley Wadhwani-Smith

I began my journalistic journey at Black Press Media as a community reporter in my hometown of Maple Ridge, B.C.
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