The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen announced re-entry plans for the Heritage Hills subdivision southeast of Penticton, B.C., on Monday, as the area remains under evacuation order.
Residents of 319 hillside properties were forced to flee their homes because of the encroaching Christie Mountain wildfire that sparked last Tuesday. One home has been destroyed so far.
Geotechnical work is underway to ensure homes, driveways and gas, power and water lines in the area are safe, the operations centre said on Monday.
“The objective is to return people as soon as possible.”
RDOS Chair Karla Kozakevich says it’s planning a staged re-entry for evacuees of the Heritage Hills subdivision, meaning homeowners will be given a specific time to return home.
“I can confirm it will not be today. We are hoping that in the next couple of days, we will be able to get people moving back into their homes. So definitely this week,” she said.
Kozakevich lamented the loss of one home in the evacuation order zone.
“319 properties were evacuated. 318 of those property owners will be able to return to their homes in the very near future. Let’s remind ourselves that one was completely destroyed in the fire, and those homeowners will not have a home to return to, and they have a long road ahead of them,” she said.
Kozakevich also pleaded for patience as local government officials, in conjunction with RCMP and a private security firm, will work to get hundreds of people home safely.
“I know that you want to get back into your homes, and I know you want to return to life as it was before the fire,” Kozakevich said.
“I ask that you be kind and respectful to the trained staff and volunteers that have worked tirelessly to protect your homes and provide you support services.”
There are 116 homes in the Upper Carmi area with the regional district that also remain on evacuation alert.
Meanwhile, the City of Penticton rescinded the evacuation alert for 3,669 properties in its southeast portion.
“In consultation with BC Wildfire and our regional partners, it’s been determined the threat caused by the Christie Mountain Wildfire has subsided,” emergency operation centre director Donny van Dyk said.
Staff are also working closely with BC Parks to protect Skaha Bluffs Provincial Park, the regional district said.
Fire information officer Greg Jonuk said there was minimal fire activity overnight.
The 2,035-hectare blaze north of Okanagan Falls has been classified as a smoldering surface fire, he said.
They will continue to build on the progress made on the southwest flank of the fire and strengthen control lines, Jonuk said.
Ground crews will be supported by 15 helicopters and six water tenders.