B.C. fires: Evacuation alert expanded near Oliver

An evacuation alert for a wildfire burning seven kilometressouth of Oliver has been expanded to include 183 homes south of Road 7 and Tinhorn Creekto the west of Highway 97.

The Testalinden Creek wildfire is now more than 3,100 hectares.

The Okanagan-SimilkameenRegional District says the evacuation alert has been expanded due to wildfire growth in the uplands ofKobau Mountain.

It says the fire is not expected to impact homes in the Okanagan or Similkameenvalleys.However, thosewithin the evacuation area itself are being told to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice.

• Detailed evacuation alert information
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Farmers and residents along the alert area's Crown land interface are being asked to water interface areas for up to three hours each day.

However, thoseoutside the evacuation alert area are asked to conserve water to make sure it's available for firefighting.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire has crossed previously established containment lines on the north side of Testalinden Creek and has spilled over onto the steep south slopes of Hester Creek.

Despite this, it says the fire remains 50 per cent contained.

However, fire activityis expected to grow over the next few days due to theextremely dry conditions and gusty southerly winds that have been forecast.

Fire officials say the winds could also push smoke into the areafrom the large fires currently burning in Washington State hampering the aerial attack on the Testalinden Creek wildfire.

Interactive fire map: Click x to remove legend