Hundreds of B.C. wildfire evacuees can return to Village of Slocan

Several hundred residents of the Village of Slocan and the surrounding area of British Columbia's Kootenay region are allowed to return home as officials downgrade an evacuation order prompted by a complex of wildfires.

Several hundred residents of the Village of Slocan and the surrounding area of British Columbia's Kootenay region are allowed to return home as officials downgrade an evacuation order prompted by a complex of wildfires.

The Regional District of Central Kootenay had issued the order on July 28 covering 208 properties in the village and more than 300 in the surrounding area.

Residents have been told to stay ready to leave on short notice and the village is on a boil water advisory as two wildfires continue to burn out of control nearby.

Slocan Mayor Jessica Lunn says in an update posted to social media that people travelling through wildfire affected areas should "exercise extreme caution" due to hazards such as fallen trees.

The BC Wildfire Service says the nearby 21-square kilometre Mulvey Creek wildfire and the 18-square kilometre Ponderosa Forest Service Road fire are among about 160 wildfires across the province that are classified as burning out of control.

That number represents about 40 per cent of more than 400 active fires in B.C.

The wildfire service website shows there are now five wildfires of note in B.C., after the Hullcar Mountain Fire, about 13 kilometres northwest of Armstrong, was downgraded.