Most West Kelowna residents evacuated by Mount Law wildfire can return home

Only one structure suffered significant damage from the Mountd Law wildfire burning near the Glenrosa subdivision in West Kelowna.

Another previously damaged outbuilding was further compromised, states a news release from Central Okanagan emergency operations centre.

READ MORE: Okanagan Indian Band working on recovery plan after homes, business destroyed by wildfire

“Crews have made substantial progress in holding the Mount Law wildfire,” the release states. “The evacuation order and alert areas related to the Mount Law wildfire have been reduced to allow most residents to return to their properties.”

Seventeen properties remain on evacuation orders. These are:

• 3713 to 3725 Emerald Road
• 3658 to 3760 Gates Road
• 3250 Highway 97
• 3660 to 3680 McIver Road
• 3704 to 3770 Turnbull Road

Another 477 properties remain on evacuation alert.

More details on those properties are available here.

“Returning residents are reminded that they may encounter various hazards on private properties as a result of the forest fire,” the release states. “Burnt trees with little or no limbs have limited structural support and may fall at any time. Burning root structures leave the surrounding ground unstable and extremely hot.”

Electricity may still be out in some areas so some food in fridges and freezers may not be fit to eat.

More information on returning home safely is available here.

READ MORE: Recent rain, cooler weather means things looking up for Southern Interior wildfire crews

To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submitphotos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.