More residents in Summerland, B.C., are set to return home as the District of Summerland has downgraded part of the evacuation order to an alert for an area east of Highway 97 and the Trout Creek neighborhood on the west side of Highway 97. Highway 97 in Summerland has fully reopened to all traffic.
Evacuation orders are being lifted gradually around critical fire sites in B.C., including areas near Clinton and Summerland. The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) anticipates smoke covering the southern part of the province to persist until Sunday. Unstable weather conditions may lead to more lightning-caused fires in B.C. on Sunday, as mentioned by a fire information officer.
Highway 97 near Cache Creek partially reopened on Saturday after being shut down for weeks due to the Pear Lake wildfire. Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes confirmed the downgrade of evacuation orders for an additional 800 properties on Sunday, totaling around 1,200 properties now under evacuation alert. Out of the 5,500 properties initially ordered to evacuate, damage assessments have been conducted, but the exact number of properties affected by the fire remains unknown.
Mayor Holmes expressed optimism about the ongoing downgrading of evacuation orders and the gradual return of more residents. Highway 97 within Summerland has resumed full operation after being closed due to wildfire activity. The reopening of the highway is closely monitored based on fire behavior and the requirements of the BCWS crew.
The BCWS is monitoring a potential weather pattern that could trigger more lightning strikes and fires in the southern region of the province. Despite the slow lifting of evacuation orders, the smoke enveloping southern B.C. is expected to linger for a few days, affecting surface temperatures and visibility for firefighting aircraft.
The wildfire service is vigilant for lightning strikes that could heighten the fire risk in south-central B.C. Crews from New Brunswick and Quebec have been deployed to assist in managing over 120 fires across B.C., the majority of which were ignited by lightning strikes.
In Clinton, like many returning evacuees, Nicholas Kosovic, the co-owner of the Stagecoach Cafe, noticed significant landscape changes due to the fire, with homes along the highway destroyed. The Pear Lake wildfire remains the largest fire in B.C. this year, covering 1,593 square kilometers as of Saturday.
Highway 97, closed since July 28 near Cache Creek because of the Pear Lake fire, fully reopened on Saturday. Another section of Highway 97 in the Okanagan, between Peachland and the Pyramid Picnic Area in Kickininee Provincial Park, reopened in a limited capacity on Thursday. Both areas remain active wildfire zones, prohibiting any stopping along the routes. The Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, spanning over 210 square kilometers, continues to burn uncontrollably, yet officials are hopeful for more residents to be allowed back soon.
North of Hope in the Fraser Canyon, Highway 1 remains closed due to wildfires, with the Brunswick Creek wildfire complex near Boston Bar covering over 700 square kilometers as of Saturday evening.
