The Smith Creek wildfire is roughly 50-per-cent contained, and approximately 2,200 people are being allowed to go back to their homes in West Kelowna, B.C., as of Sunday afternoon.

At 11 a.m. PT , the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre announced the evacuation order that had forced 2,500 people from their homes earlier this week had been partially rescinded for 1,900 people. Later in the day, even more people were allowed to return home.

Out of 1,128 homes evacuated Thursday, 1,050 are now believed to be free of immediate threat and residents are allowed to return to them. An evacuation order remains in effect for the homes closest to the fire, which affects approximately 300 people.

Those going home are asked to be cautious and to watch out for:

Charred power poles or trees, which may be unstable and could fall.

Live power lines on the ground.

Small fires that may flare up without warning.

Ash pits, which are holes filled with hot ash created by burned trees.

Police will be in the area to enforce order and maintain roadblocks in off-limits neighbourhoods.

The emergency operations centre also said everyone remains on evacuation alert, and should be ready to leave again at a moment's notice.

The Smith Creek wildfire, part of which is shown here in a photo taken Saturday, was 260 hectares in size and 50 per cent contained Sunday morning. (CBC)

Jason Luciw, of the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre, said the fire is still not fully contained, and a change in the weather could quickly change the situation on the ground.

"The first thing that we want to let people know is that this remains an active fire," he said. "For example, wind is still in the forecast, and therefore those people living in the immediate interface area... remain under evacuation order."

The evacuee reception centre is being maintained at Mount Boucherie Senior Secondary School, where residents under evacuation order can seek food and vouchers for hotels and motels.

The B.C. Wildfire Management Branch says the Smith Creek fire is roughly 260 hectares in size, and that fires inside the perimeter will keep burning and will be visible for several weeks.

"Residents are asked if they see any fire activity related to the Smith Creek fire, not to call 911 as crews will still be actively working in the area and monitoring the situation," the Central Okanagan Emergency Operation Centre said.

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Neighbourhoods under evacuation order or alert

The Evacuation Order is rescinded but an Evacuation Alert remains in effect for the following areas:

The following roads in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood:

Asquith Road

Bridal Hill Court

Bridal Hill Drive

Copper Ridge Drive

Copper Ridge Court

Copper Ridge Place

Copper Ridge Way

Doucette Drive

Harold Road

Ironridge Place

Ironridge Road

Rhinestone Road

Shetler Drive

Sandberg Road

Sageview Road

Saddleridge Drive

Sugosa Place

Salish Road

Smith Creek Road

Stone Ridge Drive

Summerview Place

Summerview Court

Telcor Place

Twin Place

Whispering Hills Drive

Wild Horse Drive

The following roads in the Alexandria Neighbourhood:

Alexandria Way

Shannon Lake Road

The following roads/properties in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood:

Boulder Lake Boulevard

Cobblestone Road

Pebble Place

Stone Grove Crescent

Tuscany Drive

Tallus Ridge Drive including 2390 Tallus Ridge Drive

The following roads in the Shannon Woods Neighbourhood:

Shannon Woods Drive

Shannon Woods Place

Shannon Woods Way

Shannon Woods Cres

Shannon Hills Drive

Shannon Hills Place

Shannon Heights Court

Shannon Heights Place

The Evacuation Order is still in effect for:

The following properties/roads in the Smith Creek Neighbourhood:

All properties accessed off Dixie Road

The following properties/roads in the Tallus Ridge Neighbourhood including the following roads:

Big Sky Drive

Mountains Hollow Lane

Paramount Drive

Ryser Place

Tallus Heights Drive

Tallus Green Crescent

Tallus Green Place

The Evacuation Alert has been lifted for Bartley Road and Lenz Road.

Source: www.cordemergency.ca