By The Canadian Press

Evacuees near West Kelowna wildfire could return home soon: regional district

Aug 24, 2016 | 11:33 AM

WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Residents forced out of their homes by a wildfire west of Kelowna, B.C., could be back in their homes by nightfall.

The Central Okanagan Regional District says efforts are being made to lift an evacuation order covering the Bear Creek wildfire, but for now, the order remains in effect.

It affects 105 properties about 10 kilometres north of West Kelowna.

A news release issued by the regional district says Westside Road, the main link between West Kelowna and Vernon, is also expected to reopen by early afternoon but Bear Creek Provincial Park remains closed until further notice.

Rachel Witt, an information officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre, says 49 firefighters are working on the nearly 53-hectare wildfire and it is 85 per cent contained.

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Flames broke out late Sunday night, prompting evacuations and road closures, but no homes have been lost.

Witt says another wildfire that was sparked at almost the same time near Okanagan Falls, at the south end of Skaha Lake, covered 16 hectares of grass and bush but is now 100 per cent contained.

The Canadian Press