The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has downgraded evacuation orders for properties in the Long Lake Road and Edith Lake Road area to evacuation alerts.

A total of 16 properties south of Kamloops were taken off order Sunday evening, Aug 13, as crews work to contain the 72.5 square kilometre Ross Moore Lake fire.

Two other properties – 5140 and 5240 Lac Le Jeune Road – remain on evacuation order at this time, as outlined on this map.

The TNRD has also revised its evacuation alert south of Kamloops, to leave 343 properties in Electoral Areas “J” (Copper Desert Country) and “L” (Grasslands), on evacuation alert, as outlined in this map.

People in approximately 344 properties were ordered out of their homes on July 23, though the vast majority – 327 properties – were taken off order five days later, on July 28.

Residents taken off order Sunday will be able to access their properties for the first time in about three weeks.

“The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has prepared an information package that contains important information about returning home after an ordered evacuation and the threat of wildfire is over,” the TNRD said, in a statement.

The BC Wildfire Service says it has 174 firefighters assigned to Ross Moore Lake fire along with air resources, structure protection crews, and 26 pieces of heavy equipment.

Evacuation orders were also lifted around the Lower East Adams Lake Fire and the Bush Creek East fires on Saturday, though the BC Wildfire Service says the ongoing heat wave will be a challenge for crews fighting the three fires that make up the Adams Complex near Kamloops.

The City of Kamloops also closed its Emergency Operations Centre on Friday, saying the Ross Moore Lake Fire no longer poses an imminent threat to the City.