Hundreds of residents who were forced out by a wildfire burning along Cameron Lake on Vancouver Island are allowed to return home.

The Regional District of Nanaimo posted an update Monday removing 257 properties from its evacuation order due to the Wesley Ridge blaze, although they remain on alert, with residents told they must be ready to leave right away.

The BC Wildfire Service changed the classification of the blaze on Monday to “being held,” and said it wasn’t expected to grow beyond existing containment lines.

Douglas Holmes, director of the regional district’s emergency operations centre, said it was a “terrific day” as most people were allowed to return home.

However, 37 properties in Little Qualicum River Village remain evacuated.

Holmes told a news conference Monday that dec

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