B.C. fire numbers drop, with blaze near Vernon being held and evacuation order lifted

VERNON — The number of wildfires in British Columbia has dropped sharply after a weekend that included heavy rain that doused some fires.

The BC Wildfire Service's online dashboard says there are about 65 fires burning in the province, down from about 100 a week ago, with only four now burning out of control.

Among the fires whose threat has been reduced is a blaze that forced a brief tactical evacuation in the Okanagan on Sunday.

The Boltres Creek fire just south of Vernon is now being held, and evacuees have been told they're safe to return home.

The wildfire service says the fire is projected to remain in its current perimeter measuring one square kilometre, while the City of Vernon says on its Facebook page that Highway 97 is fully open.

The fire had triggered a local state of eme