Residents forced from their homes by the Wesley Ridge wildfire can return after evacuation orders and alerts were lifted Saturday evening.

The Regional District of Nanaimo said effective Aug. 16 at 6 p.m., the evacuation order for 35 properties and alert for 268 properties were rescinded.

The change follows an update from the BC Wildfire Service, which has reclassified the fire as under control, meaning it is no longer expected to spread beyond its current perimeter.

The blaze, which scorched an estimated 588 hectares, had previously been listed as being held. Crews remain on-site extinguish hot spots and monitoring conditions, and the public is asked to avoid damaged areas where hazards remain.

Officials caution that risks such as fire-weakened trees, ash pits, unstable terrain and in

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