The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has lifted the rest of the evacuation orders that were put in place as a result of the Christie Mountain wildfire near Penticton.

A total of 319 properties were evacuated, and all but 74 of those orders were rescinded yesterday, with all of those properties now on an evacuation alert.

“The safety of all residents remains the number one priority,” it said in a statement. “The RDOS is in regular communication with experts on-site. For areas remaining under evacuation alerts, there is no imminent threat at this time.”

The fire has scorched over 2,000 hectares of land east of Skaha Lake last week and it has destroyed one home.

However, the BC Wildfire Service says the fire now being held, and is not expected to spread beyond existing or predetermined boundaries under the prevailing and forecasted conditions.

There are still 223 firefighters on site, along with 12 helicopters and four pieces of heavy equipment on scene today as crews continue to attack the northeast corner of the fire pushing south.

Firefighters will also patrol the area around the Christie Mountain Lane, Apple Court to Matheson Drive areas looking for hotspots. Residents will still be able to see smoke in the area as the fire has died down to a smouldering ground fire.

Crews are using hand ignitions to burn out pockets of fuel on the Christie Mountain (K51287) wildfire. This strategy of burning small pockets of fuel is used to consume unwanted fuels between the line and the fire perimeter. pic.twitter.com/H5C4JrxS8F

— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 26, 2020