Nearly 250 properties near the White Rock Lake fire, including most of Westwold and some homes in Monte Lake and Paxton Valley, have been taken off of evacuation order, while Highway 97 has fully reopened.

In total, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District has lifted the order for 246 properties. Another 76 properties still remain on evacuation order in the vicinity, and a full list of addresses affected can be found here.

The TNRD warns the evacuation order may need to be issued again. Officials stated concern earlier today about the upcoming weekend weather forecast, with strong winds to arrive Saturday and continue through Sunday.

“On Saturday we’ll see winds sustained 20 to 30 kilometres per hour, gusting beyond that… On Sunday, we’ll see an increase in those winds to 50 to 60 km/hr, gusting higher with terrain features and lake features on some of our fires, including the White Rock Lake Fire,” Cliff Chapman says, the provincial operations director with the BC Wildfire Service

Meanwhile, Drive BC reports Highway 97 has reopened between Westwold and Monte Creek, although vehicles are not allowed to stop through that stretch because of nearby fire activity. The highway had been closed along that stretch since Aug. 5, when heavy winds pushed the White Rock Lake fire across the road.

An updated TNRD map of evacuation order and alert zones at the White Rock Lake fire, and near all other wildfires in B.C., can be found here.

OPEN – #BCHwy97 Previously closed due to wildfire activity between Pinaus Lake Rd and #MonteCreek east of #Kamloops. Wildfire activities still occurring, no stopping on highway.

— DriveBC TOK (@DriveBC_TOK) August 14, 2021