An evacuation order issued for 12 properties in Venables Valley due to the Shetland Creek Wildfire was lifted Wednesday, Aug. 28 at noon.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District said the order issued on Aug. 16, has been changed to "all clear."
In a notice the TNRD added "should conditions change, an evacuation alert and or evacuation order will be reinstated as necessary."
The July 17 fire destroyed 20 structures, including six permanent residences, whose occupants lost everything.
Rhada McAllister-Paquette and her family were among those who lost their home in Saranagati Village.
While they are back in the Saranagati Village, she said they are staying with friends.
"We are scrambling," she told Black Press Media Wednesday, Aug. 28. "Our kids are about to start school so we have to figure out some stability for them so they can do that in a productive manner."
They were first allowed to return in early August to do a bit of clean up at their property, and continue this work even now.
"Bagging up a three-storey house by hand is quite the job and it's slow progress," she said. "It was super helpful the Christian Aid Ministries came in and removed all the big stuff so now we can focus on the ash that's left - the broken glass, the nails and whatever else is in there."
She said it is "pretty incredible" just how much metal was cleaned up from fire-damaged properties, evident by various piles scattered throughout the community. McAllister-Paquette said the fire went through the front of their property where they had fire smarted and thinned out the trees.
"The trees are still alive but the brush underneath burned. It is a little heat-stressed, but it is alright," she said.
It's a different story with the forested area on Crown land that was behind their house.
She described it as decimated, with only ash and black sticks remaining.
"There would have been a wall of fire in the forest."
With a file from Barbara Roden
