Evacuation orders have been lifted at the Sitkum Creek wildfire east of Sugar Lake Wednesday, Aug. 7.

Instead, lands to the east have been designated as restricted areas.

As crews continue guard work and danger tree assessments along the west flank of the Sitkum Creek wildfire, the Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) has modified the current evacuation order to an area restriction. 

The RDNO announced the change at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday. The evacuation alert for properties located at 1616, 1622 and 1630 Sugar Lake Road remains in place. 

An area restriction prohibits access to areas where there are ongoing fire suppression activities. They are established to limit the risk of wildfire occurring or to enforce the need to protect the public and emergency personnel in active wildfire areas. 

People are not allowed to enter the area shown on the map above without prior written authorization, unless travelling to or from their residence, or for a purpose approved by an official of wildfire suppression activities. 

The Sitkum Creek wildfire was discovered July 18. It is classified as out of control at a size of 1,261.9 hectares, according to BC Wildfire Service, which lists the blaze as a Wildfire of Note. 

Today, Aug. 7, crews are continuing to work on implementing a 50-foot black line while conducting danger tree assessments along the west flank of the fire.