The Thompson-Nicola Regional District in southern British Columbia has lifted all evacuation orders associated with the Ainslie Creek wildfire. The latest update indicates that an evacuation order for 58 properties in the Coldwater and Patchett Road areas has been downgraded to an evacuation alert. Additionally, 94 properties that were previously under an evacuation alert have now been cleared.
Despite these positive developments, an evacuation order issued by the Spuzzum First Nation remains in effect as of Saturday afternoon due to the ongoing threat posed by the wildfire, which spans an area of 677 square kilometers. The regional district has confirmed that approximately 248 properties are still under evacuation alert as of the same afternoon.
Property owners are now permitted to return to their homes; however, caution is advised, and they should remain vigilant about potential hazards in the vicinity.
In another update from the Interior region, most of the evacuation orders and alerts issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen have been rescinded. The RDOS lifted its evacuation order for lands east and west of Faulder and Darke Lake, as well as three properties on McLennan Road.
The B.C. Wildfire Service has imposed an Area Restriction Order around the Bald Range wildfire, starting at 12 p.m. PT on Saturday. This order prohibits individuals from entering or remaining in the restricted area without written consent from an authorized official under the Wildfire Act. There are specific exceptions outlined for purposes such as aiding in wildfire suppression efforts and using designated highways.