Cache Creek residents will be funneling back into the community this afternoon as an evacuation order that has been in place since July 7th was officially lifted at 3 p.m. on Tuesday.

Evacuation orders for the Village of Cache Creek, and areas west and north of the community have been rescinded by the Thompson Nicola Regional District.

Residents were packing up their things a little before 3 p.m. on Tuesday and a large bus arrived at TRU to take people back to the community of little more than 1,000.

Neighbours Stella Whitford and Andrew Kellerman were simultaneously packing their vehicles at TRU shortly before 3 p.m. Whitford will be heading home only to pack up and leave again on holidays, but she isn’t taking a chance leaving any of her important belongings behind in the town that will remain on evacuation alert for the time being. She’s had some time to think about what she forgot to grab.

“I don't need to be away and worry about it,” she said.

Despite early fears, Whitford and Kellerman know their houses are still standing, and they expect to go home to a town covered in fire retardant, charred at the edges.

“Nobody knows,” Kellerman said. “Until you see it firsthand, you don't really know what to expect. I know the scenery will probably be changed.”

The TNRD has provided a list of safety precautions for residents returning home, including watching for ash pits and inspecting homes for burning embers that could have blown in.