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- Melanie Nagy reports for CBC-TV (Runs: 1:23)
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All the residents of Galiano Island who were forced out of their homes on Sunday night by a wildfire have been told they can now return to their regular lives.
About 30 people living east of the blaze were allowed to return home on Tuesday afternoon, leaving more than 100 others still waiting.
On Wednesday afternoon they finally got the all clear, but with a warning.
Ground crews have contained the fire, making it safe for people to go home.
(CBC)
Emergency officials told them that the 61-hectare fire in the central part of the island is still burning, and they will have to leave again if the winds shift.
The residents had been allowed to make a quick check on their homes on Monday, and pick up pets and belongings.
No homes have been lost, but during the early stages of the fire on Sunday night, flames reached within 150 metres of one home.
People drive off the ferry on Galiano Island.
(CBC)
The improved fire situation has prompted BC Ferries to allow tourists to travel to the island again.
The corporation had banned all non-residents from going to the island, a move that tourism operators said was hard on their businesses.
About 1,000 full-time residents live on the Gulf Island in Georgia Strait between Victoria and Vancouver.
There's still no word on what caused the fire.
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