The Thompson Nicola Regional District has rescinded evacuation orders affecting residents who live in Clinton and north of Cache Creek.

Effective 4 p.m. today they will be able to return home, but remain on evacuation alert as the Elephant Hill wildfire continues to burn out of control, now measuring 163,211 hectares.

The rescind also applies to properties along the Highway 97 and Highway 99 corridors. A map of the affected addresses north of Cache Creek and surrounding Clinton is available here and a map of the affected addresses in the Village of Clinton is available here.

The TNRD said checkpoints will remain in place on roadways leading into this area until the order is lifted at 4 p.m., at which point traffic will be limited to locals only. Residents returning home can refer to the information package on the TNRD website detailing need-to-know information about returning to an evacuated zone.

The Red Cross also provides clean-up kits for evacuees returning home. Residents can pick up a kit from the Community Hall in Clinton, which will be open until 7 p.m. tonight, or the Community Hall in Cache Creek, which will be open until 5 p.m.

View the TNRD’s interactive evacuation map for current evacuation orders and alerts.