Photo: Contributed

Rain and cooler temperatures has helped slow fire activity at the Testalinden Creek wildfire near Oliver.

Fire information officer Heather Rice says the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has lifted its evacuation order, and residents living on or near Fairview Road are allowed to return home.

Residents will remain on an evacuation alert, except for those living south of Testalinden Creek, where the alert has been rescinded.

Rice says crews are focusing on the Reed Creek area of the blaze, where they are gaining ground, thanks to precipitation over the weekend.

“There has been little fire progression over the weekend. However, we do still have 215 fire personnel on site along with 13 pieces of heavy equipment and four helicopters helping with the fire, as there is good visibility," says Rice.

During the next few days, the area is expected to see showers and cooler temperatures of about 19 C. Rice says there is wind forecast for the region, however, it should not increase fire behaviour thanks to several days of precipitation.

“We would like to remind people to stay out of the fire location, and not go near any of the forest service roads (within the containment lines), or Fairview Road south to Highway 3, as crews are in mop-up stage or are in direct fire attack."

The fire, burning six kilometres west of Oliver, is estimated at 4,295 hectares and is 60 per cent contained.