More residents in Summerland, B.C., are being permitted to return home as the District of Summerland has adjusted its evacuation order to an alert for an area east of Highway 97 and the Trout Creek neighborhood west of Highway 97. The highway in Summerland is now fully open to all traffic. Evacuation orders are gradually being lifted in high-risk fire areas in B.C., including near Clinton and Summerland. The B.C. Wildfire Service stated that smoke covering the southern part of the province is expected to persist until Sunday. Unstable weather conditions could lead to more lightning-induced fires in B.C. on Sunday, as noted by a fire information officer. Highway 97 near Cache Creek has reopened in a limited capacity after being closed due to the Pear Lake wildfire.
Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes announced that additional properties, totaling around 1,200, have had their evacuation orders reduced, allowing residents to return home with readiness to evacuate if necessary. The district advises residents to confirm their address status as boundaries may change with evolving conditions. Mayor Holmes mentioned that 800 more properties had their evacuation status downgraded on Sunday, out of the initial 5,500 properties placed under evacuation orders when the fire began. Damage assessments have been completed, but the exact number of properties affected is unknown.
The re-entry process is being monitored closely, with hopes of increasing the number of returning residents each time. Meanwhile, the reopening of Highway 97 through Summerland adds to the progress made in the area. The BCWS is closely monitoring the weather pattern for potential lightning strikes and wildfires in the southern region of the province. Rick van Kesteren, a provincial fire information officer, emphasized the lingering smoke and its impact on firefighting efforts and public health.
The fire service is on high alert for lightning strikes that could lead to fires, especially in south-central B.C. Crews from New Brunswick and Quebec are being deployed to assist with the over 120 fires burning across B.C., most of which were ignited by lightning strikes. Highways in the affected regions, such as Highway 97 near Cache Creek and the Okanagan area, have started to reopen, albeit with restrictions due to ongoing wildfire activity. The Bald Range wildfire near Summerland remains a concern, covering over 210 square kilometers and remaining uncontrolled. Highway 1 north of Hope in the Fraser Canyon is one major route closed due to wildfires, with the Brunswick Creek wildfire complex around Boston Bar spanning over 700 square kilometers as of the latest update.