Thousands of residents in British Columbia who evacuated their homes due to wildfires will be allowed to return as evacuation orders have been reduced to alerts. In Summerland, part of the evacuation order related to the Bald Range wildfire has been downgraded, permitting about 400 Trout Creek neighborhood properties east of Highway 97 to be reoccupied. Similarly, evacuation orders for properties in Peachland and Electoral Area West were also downgraded to alerts. The B.C. Wildfire Service reported that more than 100 wildfires are currently active across the province, with approximately 18,900 individuals under evacuation orders and 10,000 on evacuation alert.
In the Pear Lake wildfire area, over 400 properties, including the entire Village of Clinton, were removed from evacuation order status. Evacuees will begin returning to the region under an evacuation alert protocol. In the Quilpituk Creek wildfire vicinity, properties from Cinnabar Creek to Westshore Estates have transitioned from evacuation orders to alerts. The emergency management officials have emphasized the importance of residents inspecting their properties and trees for any damage before returning home.
The Regional District of Central Okanagan is urging patience from evacuees affected by the Bald Range wildfire, which has expanded to cover 198 square kilometers. The BCWS warned of potential increased fire activity due to clearer skies allowing more sunlight to reach fuel sources, potentially intensifying the fire. Premier David Eby mentioned the deployment of specialized search-and-rescue teams for damage assessments in affected areas.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 110 wildfires are active in British Columbia. The Pear Lake wildfire near Clinton, spanning 1,574 square kilometers, remains the largest blaze. The Brunswick Creek fire complex in the Fraser Canyon, covering over 700 square kilometers, is also a significant concern. Highway 97 has partially reopened, and air quality warnings are in effect for various regions due to wildfire smoke, with the Fraser Valley under a very high health risk alert. Highway closures and evacuation updates can be found on relevant official websites.