OLIVER — Dozens of Oliver area residents who were forced to evacuate their properties because of the Testalinden fire can return home.
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has lifted the evacuation order for 27 properties in the upper Fairview area, west of Oliver.
Residents were forced to flee their homes after the Testalinden fire flared up late last week due to heavy winds.
The number of homes that remain on evacuation alert has been reduced from 285 homes to 180.
The regional district says the reduction of homes on alert is due to the Testalinden fire moving north — away from homes in the rural areas west of Osoyoos. Homes and properties south of the Testalinden fire have been removed from evacuation alert.
All homes and properties within the existing evacuation alert area north of Testalinden Creek and west of Oliver still remain under evacuation alert.
The Testalinden fire is estimated at more than 4,000 hectares and is 60 per cent contained.
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