Evacuation order lifted for 600 people near Kelowna-area B.C. wildfire

About 600 people living just east of Kelowna are going home, with officials partially lifting an evacuation order for the Joe Rich area on Sunday.

The order covers 263 properties, who will remain on evacuation alert.

A map of the affected area, including a zone that remains on evacuation order, can be viewed here.

Central Okanagan Regional District (CORD) spokesperson Tom Wilson said the move came after fire activity began to die down near some homes.

“It’s been determined that the fire risk is lower in those areas at this point. It’s kind of moving people from the edges of the fire area are allowed back in.”

“For safety reasons, the return home is going to be a slow process. Residents are urged to be patient as RCMP, Ministry of Transportation and Canadian Forces personnel manage the return to neighbourhoods where Evacuation Orders have been rescinded,” said the CORD Emergency Operations Centre in a statement.

Pets are being allowed to return, but other animals are not, in case that the fire flares up and people are forced to evacuate the area again.

Some returning evacuees will also be under a boil water advisory.

WATCH: Evacuees cope with uncertainty during Philpott Road fire

1:57 Joe Rich Evacuees

The evacuation order was initially issued on Thursday when the Philpott Road fire broke out just 20 kilometres east of Kelowna, forcing 1,100 people from their homes.

On Saturday, the fire was burning northward, away from Joe Rich, but still remains within a few hundred metres of some peoples properties.

As of Sunday morning, the BC Wildfire Service estimates the fire remains about 465 hectares in size.

Eighty provincial firefighters are working with local fire departments, and are being supported by four helicopters and 15 pieces of heavy equipment.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Meanwhile, the Cariboo Regional District lifted an evacuation order for portions of two orders, and downgrading them to an evacuation alert for the Batnuni Lake area to northeast of Nazko area.

An evacuation order remains in place for the Kluskus, Blackwater, Clisbako, Nazko area and the regional district’s westerly boundary to west of Batnuni Lake area.

Full list of Joe Rich properties where evacuation order has been lifted: