All evacuation orders relating to the Upper Park Rill Creek wildfire in the South Okanagan have now all been rescinded, though alerts remain in place.
The wildfire, located between Okanagan Falls and Keremeos, has been burning since Aug. 18 and is now estimated to be 1,830 hectares in size. While it remains an active fire, the relaxing of orders reflects the fact that there has been minimal growth over the past two days.
The BC Wildfire Service said in its update about the fire, crews and heavy equipment supported by aviation continue to make good progress on containment goals.
“Heavy equipment has completed guard on the top of the fire (northern guard) and has made good progress on guard construction moving south down both the east and west flanks,” BC Wildfire said. “Firefighters are looking to tie in guard on areas heavy equipment can’t access.”
Crews are also continuing mop-up of successfully conducted small-scale hand ignitions, reinforcing their guards and bringing the fire safely down to workable terrain.
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Aviation bucketing will continue to support ground crews today in the northeast and southeast of the fire ground bringing fire safely to guards.
Those who are returning home today are reminded that there are things to be mindful of through a re-entry checklist, which can be accessed here.
On Friday morning, the Osoyoos Indian Band rescinded an evacuation alert, while at 11 a.m., the RDOS rescinded an evacuation alert for some parts of Electoral Areas C, G and I.
In related news, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band rescinded an evacuation alert for the Crater Creek wildfire on Friday afternoon, as did the regional district for Electoral Area G.