The cooler weather over the weekend has allowed firefighters to make some headway on the wildfires burning in the Okanagan.
The BC Wildfire service reports (July 22) that the Mount Eneas fire, 4-kilometres south of Peachland, has not changed in size - it's still 1,374 hectares. It's still classified as out-of-control.
Central Okanagan Emergency Operations says the Evacuation Order in the Brent Road area (Regional District of Central Okanagan) impacted by the Mount Eneas fire has been downgraded to an Evacuation Alert.
Residents of 38 properties displaced by the Evacuation Order can now return to their homes. However, these residents are reminded that they remain on Evacuation Alert and should still be prepared to leave their homes again with little notice. The addresses still on Evacuation Alert are - 7100 – 7210 Brent Road, 7212 – 7280 Highway 97 South, and the Finlay Creek Cabins.
And the Evacuation Order for homes on North Beach Road, north of Summerland, has also been lifted and downgraded to Alert - and the Evacuation Order for Callan Road has been downgraded to an Alert.
The BC Wildfire Service says the Mount Eneas fire continues to stay within the containment lines - and fire behavior has decreased significantly. As of Saturday night, the fire was exhibiting rank one and two fire behavior, which is characteristic of a low-intensity ground fire.
49 firefighters, heavy equipment and air support are working on strengthening containment lines Sunday.
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The Goode's Creek fire, in Okanagan Mountain Park near Kelowna, also did not increase in size on Sunday (July 22). It remains at 400 hectares. An Evacuation Alert has also been lifted for homes along the south end of Lakeshore Road.
The BC Wildfire Service says 20 firefighters are building hand guards Sunday, and will continue to extinguish hot spots. Air support will continue to support throughout the day. Smoke can be seen but it remains within the fire perimeter.
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The Law Creek fire, 6-kilometres southwest of West Kelowna, is 10-hectares in size and has not grown in the last 24 hours. All Evacuation Alerts have been lifted.
The BC Wildfire Service says Sunday's (July22) objectives include assigning crews to continue working to contain the flanks of the fire - and construct control lines where possible. 11 Firefighters are also working 25 feet into the fire from the perimeter - and air support is available if needed.
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The other fires of note are Placer Mountain, which as of Sunday morning (July22) is now 320 hectares in size and located 37 kilometres south of Princeton - and the Mount Conkle fire which is now about 118 hectares in size and located 8 kilometers southwest of Summerland.
And there are also two new wildfires burning just north of Naramata - the Paradise Ranch fire at 55 hectares in size - and the Glenfir Rd wildfire at about 25 hectares.
For more information about wildfires - check the BC Wildfire Service website and cordemergency.ca for updates on Evcuation Orders and Alerts.