Wildfires ease in British Columbia

   Wildfires ease in British Columbia

21 July 2009

published by The Associated Press


B.C., Canada — About 6,000 people who were forced to flee their homes because of wildfires ablaze over southern British Columbia are returning home.

Firefighters have made progress in containing two of three forest fires covering about 2,900 acres (1,200 hectares) of land near West Kelowna, 250 miles (400 kilometers) east of Vancouver. The fires were sparked over the weekend.

Fire information officer Elise Riedlinger said by Tuesday afternoon, crews had contained 60 percent of a blaze raging behind the Glenrosa subdivision, but the fire was still engulfing 300 hectares (750 acres).

Fire crews have contained a second fire burning at the nearby Rose Valley Reservoir by 10 percent. The third fire at Terrace Mountain has not been contained.

Officials say a majority of evacuation orders were rescinded and residents are returning home.


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