West Kelowna fires could be contained Wednesday

B.C. fire officials reported that the West Kelowna fires of Glenrosa and Rose Valley were 80 per cent contained late Tuesday, and predicted they would be 100 per cent contained Wednesday morning.

Suppression crews at the Glenrosa fire, estimated at three square kilometres, were working to create a fuel-free barrier on the southern flank of the fire.

Fire crews were working with heavy equipment and supported by helicopter bucketing to contain the Rose Valley fire, estimated at one square kilometre.

While many of the 11,000 evacuees who were forced to flee West Kelowna because of forest fires have been allowed to return home, 2,800 are still waiting for the all-clear. And even those who returned were reminded they might have to leave again at a moment's notice.

CBC meteorologist Claire Martin forecast high temperatures of at least 32 C through to Friday for the Kelowna region, with a risk of isolated thundershowers for Friday.

Premier Gordon Campbell surveyed the fire-ravaged scene Tuesday from a helicopter.

"Those are big, big fires with a lot of force, and I think that we have great people in our emergency services," Campbell said.

The premier announced a three-day extension of emergency social services for evacuees.

"By doubling the province's support to evacuees, this ensures their ongoing food, clothing and lodging needs are met until they can get back to their neighbourhoods and daily routines," he said.