6,000 British Columbia fire evacuees head home

Police began allowing residents of almost 2,000 homes north of Glenrosa Road and north of Powers Creek back into the neighbourhood around 6:30 a.m. PT, after checking identification to verify they lived in the area.

But the residents were told to be ready to leave again at a moment's notice, as the area remains under an evacuation alert. They were also warned there could be deadly hazards from the fire in the neighbourhood, including unstable trees, underground hotspots and damage to homes.

Another 5,000 residents were unable to return home, as crews continued to battle two fires burning in the area, and a further 6,000 residents who were not forced out of their homes remained under an evacuation alert.

B.C.'s Highway 97 and 97C south of West Kelowna reopened Tuesday morning after being closed over the weekend because of the forest fires.