The Bald Range wildfire rages on, but more people are being allowed to come back into Summerland.

The District of Summerland announced that the evacuation order for Summerland proper has been partially downgraded to an evacuation alert this morning, Aug. 18.

Residents of some properties west of Highway 97 up to and including a portion of Cartwright Avenue and a portion of Haddrell have been allowed to re-enter. There are several exceptions on Garnet Valley Road, Blagborne Avenue, Mott Street, Durick Avenue, Cartwright Avenue and Garnet Avenue.

Residents should check the alert and stay ready to evacuate again if the situation changes. There is a boil water notice in effect for the area.

Evacuation orders have been gradually rescinded for the area over the past few days. On Aug. 14, 400 properties were moved from evacuation order to evacuation alert and on Aug. 16, 800 more properties were moved to alert.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen said roughly 150 structures have been damaged or destroyed in Summerland and Electoral Area F. The regional district said the number could change as the damage assessments continue.

The Bald Range fire is listed at 21,391 hectares, but BC Wildfire is pulling back structure protection resources because there are fewer buildings at risk.

Highway 97 is still open but drivers aren’t allowed to exit into evacuation order areas.

The other major fires in the area, Quilpituk Creek and Bradley Creek, are still being held. Quilpituk Creek is still at 1,275 hectares with seven evacuation alerts and Bradley Creek is still at 2,658 hectares with two evacuation alerts and one evacuation order.

BC Wildfire has been using infrared drone scanning to find heat signatures around the perimeter of the Bradley Creek fire so crews can efficiently target and extinguish hot spots around the edge.

Click here for updates from BC Wildfire Service.

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