Residents of Peachland and Summerland’s Trout Creek neighbourhood, east of Highway 97, are allowed to return home after evacuation orders were rescinded on Friday afternoon. No announcement has been made regarding those living in the remainder of Summerland. This comes seven days after the Bald Range fire exploded through the region, prompting the evacuation of more than 20,000 people. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said anyone returning home is still on evacuation alert and should be ready to leave on short notice if another evacuation order is issued. Returnees have been asked to fill their gas tank, bring a minimum of three days of food and essential supplies and co-ordinate the safe return of pets and livestock. The Trout Creek alert covers approximately 400 properties, all of which are on the east side of Highway 97, as properties on the west side of the highway remain on evacuation order. The Peachland announcement did not disclose a number; both announcements detailed that all residents could return home after 6 p.m. The District of Peachland added that Highway 97 will be closed between Peachland and Penticton from 7 p.m. on Friday until 7 a.m. on Saturday. As of Friday afternoon, data from the B.C. Wildfire Service measured the Bald Range fire at 19,891 hectares, or 198.9 square kilometres. With files from The Canadian Press
