Residents of Lower Post, B.C., return home after 17-day wildfire evacuation

LOWER POST, B.C. – Residents of the northern British Columbia community of Lower Post are returning home, more than two weeks after being forced out by a wildfire.

The news came Thursday night at a community meeting in Watson Lake, Yukon, about 20 kilometres north of Lower Post, where most of the community’s 150 residents have sheltered since the Aug. 21 evacuation was ordered.

The Daylu Dena Council, which represents Lower Post, says although electricity has been restored to most of the community and residents can return, buildings including the health centre and First Nations office remain off limits.

Three homes were destroyed by flames the BC Wildfire Service says charred 760 square kilometres of bush.

The wildfire service says the fire is still uncontained and hot spots remain, but it is not expected to spread. (CKRW)