The Richter Creek wildfire, which began this afternoon around 12 km west of Osoyoos, has grown to 80 ha. A single property is on evacuation alert tonight, May 13, 2019. SUBMITTED/ B.C. Wildfire

UPDATE: Evacuation alert issued for a single property due to Richter Creek wildfire

PENTICTON – An evacuation alert has been issued for a single property threatened by a wildfire burning out of control off Highway 3 in the Richter Pass area tonight.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has issued an evacuation alert for 25451 Highway 3, in Electoral Area B this evening.

The wildfire is now estimated to be 80 hectares in size, and started around 12 kilometres west of Osoyoos in the Richter Pass area today, May 13, according to regional district emergency services.

B.C Wildfire fire information officer Hannah Swift says the fire is classified as out of control. The wildfire service has responded with 28 ground personnel.

Air tankers were used earlier this afternoon, but have since been pulled off due to visibility issues with all the smoke. Two helicopters are assisting ground personnel.

She says there are no structures threatened in the immediate vicinity and traffic has not been affected on Highway 3.

Smoke from the fire is visible from Osoyoos and Highway 3.

— This story was updated at 4:34 p.m., May 13, 2019, and again at 8:40 p.m. to include more information from the B.C. Wildfire Service and the regional district.

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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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