Prime Minister Justin Trudeau traveled to the Central Okanagan region of British Columbia this morning, Friday, before continuing his trip to Vancouver later in the day to meet with firefighters, community volunteers, and elected officials.

The visit comes after rainy conditions helped reduce the fires and allowed residents and visitors to return to some of the evacuated areas in the region.

However, dry weather is expected to increase fire activity again across the region and North Shuswap.

The Trans-Canada Highway 1 reopened between Chase and Sorrento in the Shuswap area this morning after being closed for a week due to wildfires in Bush Creek East.

As late as Thursday, the provincial government lifted travel restrictions in West Kelowna that had prevented travelers from booking hotels or coming to the community.

Local governments and First Nations were able to find hotel space needed for those evacuated due to the out-of-control McDougall Creek wildfire, which spans 123 square kilometers, according to British Columbia's Emergency Management Minister Bowinn Ma.

Ma stated in a press release on Thursday that due to the evolving situation and the accommodations we have obtained, we are now lifting travel restrictions to West Kelowna.

Additionally, some flights began arriving and departing from Kelowna International Airport again after the airport closed its airspace to commercial aircraft on August 18. The airport is expected to fully reopen over the weekend.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reviews a map depicting the wildfires at McDougall Creek with Regional District of Central Okanagan Chair Loyal Wooldridge while his daughter Ella Grace looks on in West Kelowna, British Columbia, on Friday, August 25, 2023.

All remaining evacuation orders in the city of Kelowna were lifted on Thursday.

At least 181 properties have been damaged or destroyed due to the Grouse Fire Complex in the Kelowna area, with more assessments still ongoing.