It still isn’t under control, but fire crews are confident they’ve stopped the Finlay Creek wildfire from spreading.
While an evacuation order remains in place for 55 properties, with dozens more remaining under an evacuation alert, an alert was lifted for more than two dozen homes in the Garnet Valley Saturday afternoon.
“It’s looking good,” BC Wildfire Service crew leader Yorgo Moundroukas said. “The rain really helped.”
On Friday night, a rain storm swept through the Okanagan valley. It was the first significant rainfall the region has seen in months.
READ MORE: Finlay Creek fire keeps growing; dry conditions biggest factor
Evacuation alerts were also rescinded Friday night for more than 300 properties near Peachland.
The fire itself is pegged at 2,200 hectares. Even though wind is in the forecast, fire crews don’t expect the blaze to grow.
“We’re feeling relatively confident we’ll be able to hold the fire where it is,” fire information officer Heather Rice said.
On Thursday and Friday, the fire was growing on the steep slopes of Mount Acland, but officials say that’s no longer the case thanks to controlled burns, less wind and damp conditions.
There’s still no word on when the remaining evacuation orders or alerts may be rescinded.