B.C. wildfires: Some evacuations lifted thanks to recent rain

KELOWNA (NEWS 1130) — B.C.’s wildfire situation is showing a small sign of improvement, which has allowed some to return home in the last 24 hours.

The BC Wildfire Service says there are 250 fires burning in the province, and more than 4,600 properties remain on evacuation order.

On Monday, smoky sky, precipitation, lower temperatures, and increased relative humidity resulted in decreased fire activity northwest of Merritt, where the Lytton Creek wildfire continues to burn.

The improved conditions have allowed officials to rescind the evacuation orders for the community of Spences Bridge, near Highway 1.

Residents have been out of their homes for nearly two weeks.

The order for nearly 170 properties will lift at noon Tuesday, although residents must be prepared to leave again if conditions change.

White Rock Lake Wildfire

In the Interior, the White Rock Lake wildfire is so large that several regional districts are watching it closely as it encroaches on homes and properties.

It’s burning about 30 kilometres northwest of Vernon, and smoke has impacted air travel in the surrounding areas, including in Kelowna.

Over the long weekend, the southern part of the fire received minimal precipitation. The BC Wildfire Service says temperatures have cooled slightly, but the heat is expected to remain in the mid-20s for the next 24 hours.

“Winds will be 10-20 km/hr with gusts up to 30 km/hr in the afternoon. In the south, fire behavior continues to be quite active,” according to officials.

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An evacuation order is in effect for several properties near Okanagan Lake in response to the White Rock Lake wildfire.

Westshore Estates properties and those in the North Westside Road area had been under an alert, which was upgraded Monday night.

The regional district also declared a “State of Local Emergency.”

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District says the White Rock Lake wildfire is most concerning to residents in the Falkland area, near the northeast fire perimeter.

An evacuation alert has been expanded as a result.

“Precipitation has helped fire efforts, however, the moisture will not last long as temperatures are predicted to rise again and return to 30+ degrees,.” the district wrote on its website Monday evening.

But some people have been given a bit of optimistic news, and for the first time in days, were able to spend the night in their own bed.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District rescinded its evacuation order for 100 properties in “Electoral Area ‘E'” in the Bonaparte Plateau area.

#EvacuationOrder PARTIALLY DOWNGRADED to #EvacuationAlert by @TNRD for 101 properties in Electoral Area "E" (Bonaparte Plateau). More info & map: https://t.co/bU2qgZbFSY #BCwildfire https://t.co/kbtVM24FRS

— Emergency Info BC (@EmergencyInfoBC) August 2, 2021

Several evacuation alerts issued Monday by the Thompson-Nicola Regional District have been rescinded.

With files from Hana Mae Nassar