New wildfire between Oliver and Okanagan Falls, B.C., prompts evacuation alert

Fire crews have been dispatched to a new wildfire located halfway between Oliver, B.C., and Okanagan Falls.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says about 100 personnel,eight helicopters and two water tenders have been assignedtothe Eagle Bluff fire.

As of Monday afternoon, the fire had grown to 225hectares.

Evacuation alert

The new wildfire sparked an evacuation alert for the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen for electoral area C, and forthe Osoyoos Indian Band.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen said several properties are impacted by the alert and additional properties may be affected.

"We do have a structure protection specialiston scene and he is assessing residents in the alert area," saidTaylor MacDonald, a fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service.

In the interest of public safety and at therequest of the wildfire service, Fortis B.C. says it has de-energizedthree transmission lines between Oliver and Penticton.

"There are no customers impacted at this time," said Jas Baweja, a corporate communications specialist with Fortis B.C.

The manager of emergency services for the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameenis asking everyone in the area to be extremely cautious.

"Ensuring you aren't smoking in no-smoking areas," saidSeanVaisler. "Ensuring if you have any campfires to follow the rules that have been issued by the province," he said.

The B.C. Wildfire Service says the fire hazard in the southern Interior ismoderate to high, but temperatures this week are expected to hit the mid-30s, which could increase the fire danger.

"We are expecting to see some warmer and drier temperatures in the next few days so we'll see how that plays out," said MacDonald.