More Summerland, British Columbia residents are set to return home as the evacuation order in the District of Summerland has been partially downgraded to an alert for an area east of Highway 97 and the Trout Creek neighborhood on the west side of the highway. The highway through Summerland is now fully open to all traffic.
Evacuation orders are gradually being lifted for some of the most concerning fires in British Columbia, including those near Clinton and Summerland. The B.C. Wildfire Service anticipates smoke to persist in the southern region of the province through Sunday. There is a possibility of more lightning-caused fires due to an unstable weather pattern.
Highway 97 near Cache Creek partially reopened on Saturday after weeks of closure because of the Pear Lake wildfire. Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes mentioned that around 800 properties had their evacuation orders downgraded, totaling approximately 1,200 properties now under evacuation alert. Out of the initial 5,500 properties under evacuation orders, damage assessments have been completed, but the exact number of properties affected by the fire remains unknown.
The BCWS is closely monitoring the weather for potential lightning strikes that may lead to wildfires in southern British Columbia. Crews from New Brunswick and Quebec have been called in to assist with over 120 fires across the province. The Pear Lake fire, the largest in B.C. this year, spans 1,593 square kilometers. Highways, including sections of Highway 97 and Highway 1, remain closed due to active wildfire zones.
Residents are gradually being allowed to return home in affected areas, with precautions in place to ensure safety amid ongoing wildfire risks.