An evacuation order impacting the District of Summerland has been partially reduced to an alert for an area east of Highway 97 and the Trout Creek neighborhood on the west side of Highway 97. The highway through Summerland is now fully open to all traffic. Evacuation orders are gradually being lifted around some of the most concerning fires in British Columbia, including near Clinton and Summerland.
The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) has mentioned that smoke covering the southern part of the province is expected to persist until Sunday. A fire information officer has warned of the potential for more lightning-caused fires in B.C. on Sunday due to an unstable weather pattern. Highway 97 near Cache Creek has reopened in a restricted manner after being closed for weeks due to the Pear Lake wildfire.
In Summerland, more residents are allowed to return home as the evacuation order has been downgraded to an alert for specific areas. Residents are advised to stay prepared to leave immediately if necessary. Summerland Mayor Doug Holmes noted that around 800 additional properties have had their evacuation orders downgraded, bringing the total under evacuation alert to approximately 1,200 properties. Initially, 5,500 properties were placed on evacuation order, and while damage assessments have been conducted, the exact number of properties affected by the fire remains unknown.
The reopening of Highway 97 in Summerland marks a significant milestone, albeit contingent on the B.C. Wildfire Service’s evolving requirements and fire behavior. The BCWS is closely monitoring a weather pattern that could lead to more lightning strikes and wildfires in the southern part of the province. As evacuation orders are lifted in some areas, the lingering smoke in southern B.C. poses challenges for firefighting efforts, affecting visibility for aircraft operations.
Firefighting crews from other provinces are being mobilized to assist in managing the numerous wildfires across British Columbia, with a focus on lightning-sparked blazes. Highways, like Highway 97, have been reopened following closures due to wildfires, but certain sections remain active fire areas with restrictions in place. The Bald Range wildfire near Summerland continues to be a cause for concern, covering over 210 square kilometers and remaining uncontained. Highway 1 north of Hope in the Fraser Canyon is also closed due to ongoing wildfires in the region.
