Evacuation order partially lifted

UPDATE — The evacuation order has been lifted in several areas around the Smith Creek fire in West Kelowna but the fire zone is off limits to the general public.

An Area Restriction Order was put into effect Sunday night for areas surrounding the fire to protect the safety of firefighting personnel and the public.

The order doesn’t apply to people traveling to or from their residence or to anyone using the highway as defined in the Highway Act.

The Wildlife Management Branch said Sunday night “excellent progress” had been made by ground crews, heavy equipment and aerial operations. Three air tankers, two helicopters, 80 firefighters and 27 support personnel worked on the fire Sunday.

NEWS/ WILDFIRES — Most of the residents of the West Kelowna area who had to flee the Smith Creek fire earlier this week are going home as the evacuation order was partially rescinded today (Sunday).

The 1,900 residents returning home will be on evacuation alert and the Regional District of Central Okanagan said they should be prepared to leave their homes on short notice.

An evacuation order is still in effect for more than 200 properties in the Smith Creek neighbourhood and a number of others.

Helicopters, air tankers and ground crews continue to fight the 260-hectare fire along with local fire departments. The fire is about 50 per cent contained but crews are keeping a close eye on it in case more wind comes up.

An evacuation order remains in effect at Murray Lake near the Coquihalla and at Botanie Road north of Lytton. Another public meeting was held today in Lytton.

Thanks to the damp, cooler weather, a smoky skies advisory was lifted today for the Thompson, Okanagan, Shuswap and other central Interior regions.