UPDATE:
- Residents in Summerland are allowed to return home as an evacuation order has been partially changed to an evacuation alert.
- Several properties were removed from evacuation order in the area affected by the Pear Lake wildfire, including the entire Village of Clinton.
- Evacuation orders for all properties in Peachland and Electoral Area West regions were downgraded to evacuation alerts.
- Evacuation orders for properties from Cinnabar Creek to Westshore Estates near the Quilpituk Creek wildfire have been lowered to an evacuation alert.
- The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that more than 100 wildfires are still active across the province.
- As of Friday morning, approximately 18,900 individuals were under evacuation order with an additional 10,000 on evacuation alert in B.C.
Return of Evacuees
Following the downgrade of some evacuation orders to alerts, thousands of B.C. residents forced to evacuate due to wildfires will be allowed to return home on Friday.
In Summerland, near the Bald Range wildfire, the District of Summerland converted part of its evacuation order to an evacuation alert. The mayor confirmed that residents of about 400 properties in the Trout Creek neighborhood east of Highway 97 can now return home.
Evacuation orders for all properties in Peachland and Electoral Area West regions were also changed to alerts on Friday evening, as reported by Central Okanagan Emergency Management.
Additionally, over 400 properties in the Pear Lake wildfire area, including the Village of Clinton, were removed from evacuation order on Friday evening.
Those properties are now under an evacuation alert, and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) indicated that evacuees would start returning to the region from Saturday at 8 a.m. PT.
Clinton Mayor Roland Stanke informed CBC’s Radio West that returning evacuees should expect changes in the landscape due to the fire, estimating that around 100 homes were lost in the blaze.
“There is significant devastation with many structures and homes burned,” he mentioned.
A staged re-entry process is also underway for evacuees affected by the Quilpituk wildfire, located north of Kelowna, as the evacuation order has been downgraded to an alert. This change impacts approximately 2,400 households.
An evacuation alert in the area has been lifted as well.
Central Okanagan Emergency Management stated on Friday morning that residents will have phased re-entry access to ensure an organized return and reduce traffic congestion.
Residents are advised to inspect their property and trees for any damage or concerns before re-entering their homes.
“Currently, residents are instructed to discard all items in their fridge and freezer,” mentioned Kari