Clinton shows resilience in face of wildfire The Pear Lake wildfire may have left a lasting impact on the Village of Clinton, but the community has rallied together in a show of resilience and strength. On Saturday, Sept. 12, the first major community event in Clinton since the fire, the Clinton Strong event, took place at Reg Conn Centennial Park. The event was organized by community members and featured free games, activities, food, and live music. While the Pear Lake wildfire may have forced Clinton's evacuation this summer, it has left the community stronger than ever. That resilience was on display at Reg Conn Centennial Park on Saturday, Sept. 12, as the Clinton Strong event kicked off. Organized by community members during the evacuation, which lasted from July 24 to Aug. 15, it marked the first major community event in Clinton since the fire. Community members came together to enjoy free games, activities, food and live music. Mayor Roland Stanke praised the community's strength during the event, noting that the Pear Lake wildfire touched them all in some way."For some, it meant evacuation, uncertainty, sleepless nights and wondering what we could come home to. For others, the losses were much more real," Stanke said."They lost their homes, property, belongings, livelihoods and pieces of a life that can't be replaced. " Stanke acknowledged these losses are deeply personal and that recovery will take time.However, he noted that Clinton has always been a place where people show up for one another, just like they did for the Clinton Strong event."The wildfire tested this community; it didn't take away the things that make Clinton your home. I would also like to recognize our local firefighters, B.C. Wildfire crews, first responders, emergency personnel, volunteers, public works staff… who worked through all these difficult situations to protect our village and the surrounding community." One of those who helped organize the event was Kayla Pepper, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District's resiliency centre manager, who noted it was primarily organized by members of Clinton Strong, the Village of Clinton, the High Bar First Nation, the Whispering Pines First Nation, the Clinton Volunteer Fire Department and the Clinton Food Bank. While she is based in Kamloops, Pepper has spent much of the summer getting to know and working with Clinton residents, first when they were evacuated and later after they returned.Pepper said she was struck by the kindness and strength of the Clinton community. She explained the purpose of the resiliency centre is to provide residents with longer-term support, noting the centre is currently open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m