Two wildfires burning near Clinton, B.C., merged Saturday evening, impacting Highway 97 between Loon Lake Road and Chasm Road.The Pear Lake and Fiftynine Creek fires, part of the Big Bar complex in the Cariboo region, have forced hundreds of residents to evacuate their homes.

Fire information officer Shae Stearns noted slightly cooler temperatures and higher humidity on Sunday, but drought conditions remain a challenge for firefighting efforts.The fire is progressing north, with reports of potential damage to homes and commercial properties in the village of Clinton.Several roads, including Highway 1 between Lytton and Yale, are closed due to wildfires.Environment Canada has issued air quality warnings for much of the province, including the Okanagan, Cariboo, Boundary, and Fraser Canyon regions.The B.C.Wildfire Service continues to monitor the situation, urging residents to stay informed through official updates.