WEST KELOWNA, B.C. — Services are slowly being restored to an area damaged by wildfire near West Kelowna, B.C., but an evacuation order covering 105 properties remains in effect.
The Central Okanagan Regional District says electricity has been restored within the evacuation area, about 10 kilometres north of West Kelowna, and water will soon be flowing again to nearby Trader's Cove.
But the regional district says in a news release today that a number of hot spots had to be doused overnight within the roughly 53-hectare area scorched by the Bear Creek wildfire.
Westside Road is closed through the region but efforts are being made to reopen the route and the regional district says residents will be allowed to return to their homes as soon as it is safe.
The wildfire broke out late Sunday, forcing the evacuation of Bear Creek Provincial Park and more than 150 properties, although some residents were allowed to return earlier in the week.
The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze is considered 75 per cent contained and the cause of the fire remains under investigation.