The most recent updates on wildfires in British Columbia show that some residents in Summerland are now allowed to return home as an evacuation order has been partially lifted to an evacuation alert. This change affects hundreds of properties in the Pear Lake wildfire area, including the complete Village of Clinton. Similarly, evacuation orders for all properties in Peachland and Electoral Area West have been shifted to evacuation alerts.
Near the Quilpituk Creek wildfire, evacuation orders for properties from Cinnabar Creek to Westshore Estates have also been downgraded 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 orders, with an additional 10,000 on evacuation alert throughout B.C.
In Summerland, where the Bald Range wildfire is ongoing, the District of Summerland has allowed residents from about 400 properties in the Trout Creek neighborhood east of Highway 97 to return home. Moreover, over 400 properties in the Pear Lake wildfire area, including the entire Village of Clinton, were removed from the evacuation order.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) indicated that evacuees would begin returning to the Clinton area on Saturday morning. Clinton Mayor Roland Stanke mentioned that around 100 homes were lost due to the fire, resulting in significant devastation. Additionally, a staged re-entry plan is in place for evacuees from the Quilpituk wildfire, affecting approximately 2,400 households.
Residents are advised to inspect their properties for any issues before returning home. Furthermore, the Quilpituk Creek fire has been contained, with no reports of structural loss. The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) is urging patience from residents affected by the Bald Range wildfire due to potential changes in fire activity.
Currently, there are over 110 active wildfires in B.C., with the Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton being the largest, covering an area of 1,574 square kilometers. The Brunswick Creek fire complex in the Fraser Canyon around Boston Bar spans more than 700 square kilometers.
Highway 97 has 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 various regions in southern B.C., with high health risks due to wildfire smoke. An orange air quality warning was issued for the Fraser Valley, indicating very high health risks. Highway 97 is set to fully reopen at noon on Saturday in the Clinton area.
This news comes as a relief to many residents affected by the wildfires across British Columbia.
