Thousands of British Columbia residents affected by wildfires are being allowed to return home as evacuation orders are being downgraded to alerts. In Summerland, part of the evacuation order has been changed to an evacuation alert, permitting residents of approximately 400 properties in the Trout Creek area to go back. Similarly, in the Peachland and Electoral Area West regions, evacuation orders have been modified to alerts. The B.C. Wildfire Service reports that more than 100 wildfires are active in the province, with around 18,900 individuals under evacuation orders and an additional 10,000 on alert.
In another update, over 400 properties near the Pear Lake wildfire, including the entire Village of Clinton, have had evacuation orders lifted, transitioning to evacuation alerts. In the Quilpituk Creek wildfire area, evacuation orders for properties from Cinnabar Creek to Westshore Estates have been changed to alerts. The re-entry process is being organized to ensure a smooth return for residents and to avoid traffic congestion.
Residents are advised to assess their properties and trees for any damage before re-entering their homes. Additionally, they are instructed to discard all contents from their fridges and freezers. No structural losses have been reported so far. The Quilpituk Creek fire has been contained after being previously classified as out-of-control.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan is urging patience from evacuees displaced by the Bald Range wildfire, which has spread across 198 square kilometers. Although some communities may not experience significant fire activity at present, the situation could rapidly change with increased fire behavior due to clearer skies allowing more sunlight to reach fuel sources.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 110 wildfires are still active in British Columbia, with the Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton being the largest, covering an area of 1,574 square kilometers. The Brunswick Creek fire complex around Boston Bar in the Fraser Canyon has also expanded to over 700 square kilometers.
Highway 97 has partially reopened with limited daytime hours, while other closures on Highway 1 north of Hope and Highway 97 north of Cache Creek remain in effect. Air quality warnings are in place for several regions of southern B.C., with the Fraser Valley under a very high health risk alert due to wildfire smoke. Highway 97 is scheduled to fully reopen on Saturday at noon in the Clinton area.
