An area restriction order has been placed on Crown land around the White Rock Lake wildfire.

BC Wildfire Service implemented the restriction Thursday, Aug. 19, which covers the northern portion of Westside Road.

Hearing the word ‘order’ sent some residents into panic mode, but officials remind those that have been allowed home that this does not affect their status.

“Those people that are on alert can still return home,” fire information officer Hannah Swift said.

The restriction order is in place to protect crews as they continue to battle the 81,139-hectare blaze.

It is also meant to keep those who are not residents out of the area.

“It’s not the best time to have visitors, in fact it’s illegal,” Swift said.

The area remains tinder dry, as current drought conditions are causing fuels to dry out and crews continue to battle flare ups.

The most active area of the fire yesterday (Aug. 18) was along Westside Road, north of Fintry Park.

Air support will continue to support ground crews with suppression activities today.

Those who are eagerly awaiting news of whether their home survived Sunday’s flare up are asked to be patient.

Crews, and regional district officials, cannot conduct assessments where it is not safe to do so. But they are all working hard to get people home as soon as possible, Swift said.

The lightning-caused wildfire was discovered July 13 and is approximately 10 kilometres west of Vernon.

READ MORE: PHOTOS: No erratic behaviour forecast for White Rock Lake wildfire

READ MORE: Not safe for many White Rock Lake wildfire evacuees to come home yet: North Westside fire chief

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