An evacuation order for 19 homes was lifted Monday as crews made progress on containing the China Nose wildfire near Houston.
The decision, made by the Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako on advice from the B.C. wildfire management branch, means residents affected by the order, put in place on Saturday morning, are allowed to return to their homes although an evacuation alert remains in effect for their area.
An evacuation alert for a further 245 homes was also lifted.
"Residents are reminded to remain vigilant, as fire behavior can change at any time," the regional district said in a release. "The public should be prepared, as the current evacuation alert could be upgraded to an evacuation order with short notice."
Northwest Fire Centre information officer Mike McCulley said the wildfire remains about 20 per cent contained but progress has been made on increasing a guard around the fire, estimated at 3,700 hectares.
"We did a fairly significant large control burn yesterday afternoon to help support the guard line," he said.
The weather cooled somewhat with some rain in the morning but there was some wind with it and a warming and drying trend is in the forecast over the next couple days, McCully said.
The B.C. Ministry of Environment issued a wildfire smoke advisory for Prince George and six other Central Interior communities.
"Avoid strenuous outdoor activities," officials said in the advisory, issued shortly after 11 a.m.
"If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, contact your health care provider: difficulty in breathing, chest pain or discomfort, and sudden onset of cough or irritation of airways.
"Exposure is particularly a concern for infants, the elderly and those who have underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, and lung or heart disease."
The advisory also covered Vanderhoof, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Burns Lake, Houston and Mackenzie and their surrounding areas due to forest fire smoke.
