B.C.'s largest wildfire downgraded following wet weather in province's north

The latest on the wildfires:

• The Donnie Creek wildfire is no longer considered a wildfire of note, as fire activity has decreased thanks to fire suppression efforts and rain in the area. 
• Evacuation orders have been rescinded in the southern Okanagan town of Osoyoos, as the wildfire service makes strong progress on the Eagle Bluff wildfire.
• Dozens more properties are on evacuation alert because of the wildfires near Adams Lake, northeast of Kamloops, B.C.
• A smoky skies bulletin remains in effect for Fort Nelson, the central and southern Interior and southeastern B.C. 
• Evacuation orders remain in place across B.C., including at Adams Lake and Gun Lake, and north of Lytton.
• As of 3 p.m. PT, there are currently 376 active fires in B.C., with 13 fires of note — fires that are highly visible or threatening public safety.
• Learn more about how to find the full list of wildfires, highway closures and evacuation orders and alerts.

The Donnie Creek wildfire that has been burning in B.C.'s north was downgraded on Wednesday, and while it remains out of control, it is no longer a wildfire of note. 

B.C. Wildfire Service information officer Sharon Nickel says fire activity has decreased and is no longer a threat to infrastructure, prompting the downgrade. There are currently no evacuation alerts or orders associated with the fire. 

"In the case of the Donnie Creek fire, at this time, it's simply just a large fire," she said.

Nickel says the region has received rain over the past week — up to 90 millimetres in some areas. 

The fire, originally sparked by lightning in mid-May, currently covers about 5,832 square kilometres.

Though the area is not heavily populated, the fire was located on the traditional territory of three First Nations and tore through graves, hunting grounds and culturally significant landmarks. 

It also burned through land used by industry, including oil and gas wells, pipelines, gas plants and compressor stations.

On July 29, it was reported that firefighter Zak Muise, 25, died while battling the blaze.

Nearly 400 active fires were burning in B.C. as of Wednesday afternoon. It's hoped cooler, wetter weather through Thursday will give crews a breather, although Environment Canada says lightning is linked to many of the rainstorms forecast across the province.

Evacuation orders lifted near Osoyoos

All evacuation orders have now been lifted around Osoyoos, B.C., which saw a wildfire burn to its doorstep last month as flames swept north across the U.S. border.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has rescinded its state of local emergency as well as all evacuation orders related to the nearly 71-square-kilometre Eagle Bluff wildfire, just west of the town.

More than 130 properties in or around the southern Okanagan community have been evacuated since the fire jumped the border on July 29, but the orders have been eased as the B.C. Wildfire Service says the blaze is no longer likely to spread.

Evacuation orders have been downgraded to alerts and the regional district said homes that were previously on alert are cleared of further restrictions.

At the height of the emergency, evacuation orders covered more than 700 properties while 2,000 more were on alert as strong winds blew the fire toward Osoyoos, but a shift in winds the next day veered flames away from the town.

Anyone placed under an evacuation order should leave the area immediately. 

Evacuation centres have been set up throughout the province to assist anyone evacuating from a community under threat from a wildfire.

To find the centre closest to you, visit the Emergency Management B.C. website.

Evacuees are encouraged to register with Emergency Support Services online, whether or not they access services at an evacuation centre.

Do you have a story to share?

If you've been affected by the B.C. wildfires and want to share your story, email cbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca.