Slocan, B.C., no longer under wildfire evacuation order

The Village of Slocan and the surrounding area in B.C.'s West Kootenayare no longer under evacuation order due to wildfires, with residents able to return to their homes for the first time in more than two weeks.

On Monday, the Regional District of Central Kootenay(RDCK) said it downgraded the evacuation order to an evacuation alert on the recommendation of the B.C. Wildfire Service. An alert means residentscan return to their homes but they must still be ready to leave on short notice.

The order, which covered 208 properties in the village as well as 256 properties and 133 parcel identifiers in Electoral Area H, were ordered to leave on July 28 due to the Ponderosa and Mulvey Creek wildfires.

The pair of fires are part of the Slocan Lake Complexmade up of several wildfires in the area, including the Komonko Creek blaze, which is still regarded a wildfire of note a firethat is highly visible or threatening public safety.

Structures lost

The RDCKsaid several structures have been lost along Highway 6 in Electoral Area H due to the Komonko Creek wildfire, as well as on the west side of Slocan Lake in Electoral Area H due to the Nemo Creek wildfire.

Three single-family homes and 11 outbuildings along the highway were a total loss,according to the regional district.

Another two homes and two outbuildings in the areasuffered damage, the district said.

On the west side of Slocan Lake, two seasonal cabins and two outbuildings were considered a total lossand one cabin saw structure damage, according to the RDCK, which said property owners have been notified.

"Our thoughts are with residents who have suffered such great loss due to the Slocan Lake Complex wildfires," said Walter Popoff, the regional district's director of Electoral Area H.

"We know residents have been anxiously awaiting news about the status of their properties and appreciate their patience and understanding during these challenging times, as the primary concern remains the safety of first responders and residents."

More lightning expected

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) says temperatures are forecast to cool moving into next week but the province will continue to see lightning activity.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch spanning B.C.'s southern Interior from the Fraser Canyon east to the Alberta boundary.

More than 400 wildfires are burning across the province, including six wildfires of note. The vast majority of the fires have been caused by lightning, according to BCWS.

"While some areas of the province have seen isolated showers, lightning activity continues and warm, dry conditions are expected to persist," the fire service wrote in a provincial reportMonday.

A campfire ban remains in place across B.C., except for thePrince George Fire Centre, which encompasses the province's northeast quarter, and the Cassiar zone in the Northwest Fire Centre.