Final North Shuswap evacuation orders to be lifted soon

SCOTCH CREEK, B.C. — The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) says the final properties still subject to evacuation orders in the North Shuswap will be downgraded to evacuation alert status soon.

Widespread evacuations were put in place August 18, when the Bush Creek East wildfire swept through the communities of Scotch Creek and Lee Creek, destroying dozens of homes.

While most of the evacuation orders were lifted on Sept. 6, several of the properties most heavily damaged by the fire remain under evacuation order.

On Friday, the CSRD sent a notice to affected property owners, telling them those remaining evacuation orders will soon be lifted.

It notes inspectors may have visited affected properties to conduct a visual Rapid Damage Assessment (RDA). While the RDA helps categorize damage, it is not a comprehensive assessment of damages and hazards.

The CSRD advises property owners to watch for potential hazards and go to the CSRD’s website for information on cleaning up burned structures.