An evacuation order was downgraded to an evacuation alert for 1,200 residents affected by the Terrace Mountain forest fire, though officials are stressing the situation remains dangerous.

Friday evening, an update from provincial fire service indicated the residents being downgraded to a “short notice alert” will be allowed back into their homes as of 8 a.m. Saturday.

“Today there were favourable conditions caused by rain and cooler weather, and work overnight by the fire fighters and heavy equipment operators, which will allow the evacuation order to be lifted at 8 a.m. for some particular areas,” said Jason Johnson, deputy EOC director.

An update from Rob Krause, incident command with the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch, indicated the rain and humidity have left the 4400 hectare fire smoldering, and it is not expected they will see anything more than smoldering ground fire for the next two to three days. They hope to have their contingency guards built within three days, before the fire has a chance to pick up.

“Our fire experts are estimating that we do have a number of days in which to complete all of our containment,” he said.

The smoldering fire was only 300 metres from Fintry High Farm Friday, and Krause said conditions could change and become hotter on Monday.

The Canadian Fire Weather Index System tells firefighters how the fire will burn in different fuel types, meaning that a two to three day window can be predicted accurately.

In the meantime, anyone looking for information is asked to call the fire information line at 250-469-8490 and not to call 911 as it is an emergency line only.

Residents let back into their homes must remain on evacuation alert and be ready to leave on a moment’s notice.

“It really important for residents to remember that this is a huge fire and, at this time, it is only 20 per cent contained,” said Johnson.

An area around Fintry remains on evacuation order and Westside Road will remain closed between La Casa on the south side and Baziw Orchards on the north side.

Those returning to homes south of La Casa must access their properties from the south, meaning if they are coming from Vernon, they must use Highway 97 through Kelowna to connect with Westside Road.

Emergency Social Services for people in these areas ends with the lifting of the evacuation order. If an evacuation order is re-issued for these areas, residents will be able to re-register for ESS aid for food and lodging, but not for clothing. This is because people returning to the evacuated areas will have had ample time to take their clothing with them in the event they must evacuate again.

Some 3,600 people will be on alert as of Saturday morning, with another 1000 on evacuation order.