RICHMOND, B.C. – A new wildfire near a subdivision in Kelowna, B.C., has set off an alert for residents of over 900 homes to be prepared to leave a moment’s notice.

Carla Weaden, an information officer with Central Okanagan Emergency Operations, says the fire broke out Friday afternoon.

She says the Kelowna Fire Department, along with air support from the BC Wildfire Service, reacted quickly and the fire is considered held, but the evacuation alert for 933 homes in the area will remain in effect.

The wildfire service is also lending support to firefighters in Richmond, from where thick plumes of smoke have blanketed parts of Metro Vancouver.

The blaze broke out Friday is burning in a forested area next to the Richmond Nature Park, a bog-forest area.

The thick smoke is similar to what other communities across the province are enduring, with more than 40 air quality statements issued by Environment Canada because of smoke from nearby forest fires.

Heat alerts have also been issued for 17 districts in the province, with warnings about prolonged temperatures reaching from the low- to mid-30s.