BC lifting wildfire travel ban for all communities but West Kelowna

BC officials announced they’re lifting the wildfire-related travel ban for all communities but West Kelowna Wednesday morning.

Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness Bowinn Ma said in a news release that the Emergency Order restricting stays in several Okanagan communities served its purpose well — freeing up thousands of hotel rooms for evacuees, firefighters, and other emergency responders.

“We want to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who cancelled their plans to travel to the Interior in recent days,” Ma said. “The situation remains dynamic.”

But she now says it’s safe to lift the travel restriction for Kelowna, Kamloops, Oliver, Osoyoos, Penticton, and Vernon. It will remain in place in fire-ravaged West Kelowna.

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Ma cautioned anyone travelling in the province to monitor road conditions and understand that wildfire activity can change rapidly. Highway 1 also remains closed between Chase and Sorrento.

“We want to thank everyone for their empathy and willingness to change their plans to support their fellow British Columbians who are impacted by these devastating wildfires,” Ma said.

The ban on non-essential stays in the Okanagan was first issued on August 19, the day after BC issued a Provincial State of Emergency due to the wildfires.