New wildfire evacuation order imposed in central B.C., as more Okanagan evacuees allowed home

The latest evacuation order issued due to a wildfire in British Columbia covers a rural area around 150 kilometres north of Prince George.

The regional districts of Fraser-Fort George and Bulkley-Nechako issued the order Monday night as the 10-square kilometre Ocock Lake blaze moves toward properties in the Noonlang Lake area, about 150 kilometres north of Prince George.

Several other orders and alerts in the province have been downgraded, including in the Kelowna area.

The B.C. Wildfire Service also announced Tuesday that the Rossmoore Lake wildfire south of Kamloopsis now being held which means it is not likely to spread beyond existing containment lines.

The blaze had led to numerous evacuation orders covering hundreds of people in and around the central Interior city earlier this summer. Firefighters are expected to remain onsite, however, to maintain existing protections.

Residents return home in Kelowna

Evacuation orders covering 25 homes affected by the out-of-control McDougall Creek wildfire near West Kelownahave been lifted.

Almost a month after an evacuation was imposed, Central Okanagan Emergency Operations saysresidents of properties between the 900and 1400 blocks of Westside Road on the western shore of Okanagan Lake can go home but must still be ready to leave again on short notice.

Evacuation alerts have been lifted throughout the Westbank First Nation and in parts of several West Kelowna neighbourhoods, including Lower Glenrosa, Smith Creek, Westbank Centre, Shannon Lake and the West Kelowna Business Park.

Officials from the Regional District of Central Okanagan say crews are still busy putting out hot spots and repairing damaged infrastructure affected by the McDougall Creek wildfire.

They sayevacuated residents should brace themselves for their return to neighbourhoods they may no longer recognize.

Lance Kayfish, the City of Kelowna's risk manager, cautioned people about re-entering their communities once evacuation orders are lifted.

Kayfish told an information session held online Tuesday that people need "to have a heightened level of caution and safety" when they explore their neighbourhood because it will not be exactly as they left it.

He says it's likely that wildlife, including deer and bears, will be in areas where there's been an absence of human activity during the evacuation period.

Some areas, he said, may still have active fire hot spots or "ash pits," while fire-damaged trees may be in danger of falling.

"So, if you're out and about walking the dog, or children are playing in those areas, please have a heightened sense of safety and awareness with respect to staying away from burned trees wherever possible," he said.

Kayfish also said creeks and rivers will likely be altered by the fire activity, and he gave "advanced warning" of faster-moving waterways due to damaged vegetation nearby.

Steve Schell, a recovery manager with the regional district, said there are a number of services for people impacted by wildfires, including identification replacement for driver's licences, passports and insurance and counselling services.

"It's going to be very traumatizing, especially as those [residents]move into these evacuated areas that have gone from an order to alert over the next few days," he said.