Residents of 31 properties can return home after Central Kootenay evacuation order lifted
The evacuation order for an area of the Regional District of Central Kootenay has been lifted after firefighters successfully contained 90 per cent of the nearby Merry Creek wildfire.
At 12:30 p.m. on July 3, the central Kootenay authority announced the evacuation order for 31 properties was ending and said that evacuation alerts for several other areas have also ended.
“Crews have done an incredible job in containing this wildfire and minimizing damage to property,” said Nora Hannon, EOC director and RDCK regional fire chief, in the statement.
“BC Wildfire Service has declared the (Merry Creek) wildfire to be 90% contained and being held with the expectation the wildfire will be 100% contained within the next operational period.”
The local state of emergency has also been cancelled.
The RDCK implemented the order on July 1, after a fire was sparked about eight kilometres southwest of Castlegar. Fire officials quickly labelled it as a "wildfire of note." Residents of the 31 properties were ordered to evacuate, and six areas of Castlegar were put on evacuation alert, as was one other nearby property.
The evacuation order for the more than two-dozen Kootenay properties came just days after the village of Lytton, in a different region of the Interior, went up in flames after a dangerous heatwave and was destroyed completely.
Highway 3 will also be reopened to single lane traffic on Saturday, after a temporary closure, and power on several of the properties will be “remain out” while firefighters continue their work.
“The RDCK advises people to remain vigilant in the event that conditions change and an Evacuation Alert or Order may be re-issued and the evacuation process will recommence.”
Residents are advised to prepare an emergency kit and to be ready to move pets and livestock to a safe area in the event of another emergency.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.