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100 Mile going home

UPDATE: 2:30 p.m.

Residents of 100 Mile House are going home, after the evacuation order covering the north end of Lac La Hache south to the entire District of 100 Mile House was lifted Saturday afternoon. 

The lifted order comes on the same day hundreds of people who were evacuated north of Princeton were allowed back home as well. 

The Cariboo Regional District says the reduced fire risk in the area has allowed the 100 Mile House evacuation order to be reduced to an alert, but those returning must still be cautious and prepared. 

"Residents are returning to an area that was profoundly affected by wildfire," said Kim Hayhurst, public information for the CRD. "Services that residents are used to or rely on, such as grocery and heath care, may be limited for some time.

"Anyone choosing to return to the area should ensure that they have a full tank of gas as well as basic necessities including food and prescriptions for up to seven days."

While the risk of fire has been reduced, air quality in the area remains poor due to smoke. 

For those who are south of 100 Mile, Highway 97 is open. Those who have been staying north of Williams Lake must take Highway 16 to Highway 5, followed by Highway 24, as Highway 97 closures north of Williams Lake remain in effect. 


ORIGINAL: 12:20 p.m.

Officials say several hundred properties near Princeton in the south Okanagan and a rural area in the Cariboo region north of Williams Lake are safe to return to.

Approximately 43,000 people remain displaced and federal officials visiting affected communities today are expected to give an update on the state of the response.

Members of a federal ad hoc committee leading the government's fire response, including Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan, were set to meet with provincial officials in Prince George and Kamloops.

Some areas received rain earlier in the week, but officials are concerned warm weather and strong winds in the forecast this weekend could reinvigorate the fires.

Cariboo Regional District Chairman Al Richmond says officials are continuing to prepare for evacuees from Williams Lake and 100 Mile House to return home with plans to get emergency medical facilities running and to stock up grocery stores.

- with files from The Canadian Press



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