UPDATE:
- Following recent developments, an evacuation order in the District of Summerland has been partially lifted to an alert status for an area east of Highway 97 and the Trout Creek neighborhood west of Highway 97.
- Full access has been restored on Highway 97 in Summerland.
- Evacuation orders are gradually being rescinded in significant fire zones in British Columbia, including near Clinton and Summerland.
- The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) predicted that smoke covering the southern region of the province will persist until Sunday.
- An unpredictable weather system may lead to additional lightning-induced fires in B.C. on Sunday, as stated by a fire information officer.
- Highway 97 near Cache Creek reopened partially on Saturday after being shut down for weeks due to the Pear Lake wildfire.
More residents of Summerland, B.C., are now permitted to return home following the partial revision of the evacuation order by the District of Summerland. The new alert status applies to an area east of Highway 97 and the Trout Creek neighborhood on the west side of Highway 97.
Residents returning home must remain prepared for any emergency evacuation. The district advises residents to verify their address within the re-entry area, as boundary adjustments may occur due to changing ground conditions.
Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes reported that 800 additional properties had their evacuation orders downgraded on Sunday, bringing the total under evacuation alert to approximately 1,200 properties.
Initially, 5,500 properties were under evacuation orders when the fire began, and while damage assessments have been conducted, the exact number of properties destroyed remains unknown.
Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes at a wildfire evacuation center in Penticton, B.C., on Aug. 8. Holmes mentioned that initially, 5,500 properties were under evacuation orders due to the fire outbreak. (Ben Nelms/CBC)
Regarding the revised evacuation orders, Mayor Holmes commented on the gradual return of more residents, expressing hope for increasing numbers in subsequent phases.
“We will assess today’s situation and then consider bringing back more individuals tomorrow,” he noted optimistically.
