UPDATE:
- Residents of Summerland have been allowed to return home as evacuation orders are now evacuation alerts.
- Following the Pear Lake wildfire, numerous properties have been removed from the evacuation order, including the entire Village of Clinton.
- Evacuation orders for Peachland and Electoral Area West have been downgraded to evacuation alerts.
- Evacuation orders for properties near the Quilpituk Creek wildfire have been reduced to evacuation alerts.
- Over 100 wildfires are still active across British Columbia, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS).
- Approximately 18,900 individuals are under evacuation orders, with an additional 10,000 on evacuation alert in B.C.
Residents Allowed to Return
Several British Columbia residents who were displaced by wildfires can return home as some evacuation orders are now alerts.
In Summerland, where the Bald Range wildfire is active, part of the evacuation order has been downgraded to an alert. Approximately 400 properties in the Trout Creek neighborhood east of Highway 97 have been cleared for residents to return.
Evacuation orders for Peachland and Electoral Area West have also been shifted to alerts, as confirmed by Central Okanagan Emergency Management.
Firefighters from B.C. Wildfire Service working near Summerland. (Deanna Dunham/The Canadian Press)
Over 400 properties in the Pear Lake wildfire area, including the Village of Clinton, have been removed from evacuation orders. A transition to an evacuation alert has been initiated, with evacuees set to return starting Saturday morning.
Clinton Mayor Roland Stanke mentioned that the fire led to significant property damage, estimating around 100 homes lost.
Residents affected by the Quilpituk wildfire, north of Kelowna, will also gradually return as the evacuation order has been changed to an alert, impacting about 2,400 households.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management outlined plans for a phased re-entry to manage traffic flow and ensure a smooth return for residents.
Residents returning to the Quilpituk Creek fire area in a staged manner to ease traffic congestion. (Brady Strachan/CBC)
Before re-entering their homes, residents are advised to inspect their properties for any damage or hazards, dispose of fridge and freezer contents, and follow guidelines provided upon return.
No structural losses have been reported in the area, according to emergency management updates.
The Quilpituk Creek fire status was changed from out-of-control to contained on Thursday.
Residents Urged to Remain Patient
The Regional District of