UPDATE: Wildfire north of Oliver grows to 200 hectares, 80 more firefighters dispatched, air quality affected

PENTICTON – B.C. Wildfire crews continue to battle a new fire in the South Okanagan.

The wildfire service reports the Eagle Bluff wildfire broke out yesterday evening, Aug.4, north of Oliver.

The fire, which was listed at 120 hectares this morning, has grown to 200 hectares. and has prompted an evacuation alert for properties in the Gallagher Lake area.

All properties on the east side of Highway 97 extending south from McItyre Creek Road to James Way south of Gallagher Lake, including Brauns Road and Gallagher Lake Road, are affected by the alert.

Also included are all properties on James Way, then extending southeast to McKinney Road at Manuels Creek Road and extending north along the west side of Manuels Creek Road to approximately 3.5 kms on McIntyre Creek Road.

Other properties in the region could be impacted as well.

Environment Canada issued an air quality statement for the South Okanagan, which includes Penticton, Oliver, Summerland, Naramata, Keremeos and Osoyoos. These areas will be affected by wildfire smoke for the next 24 to 48 hours.

B.C. Wildfire says 10 personnel responded to the blaze last night, with four remaining on site today, Aug. 5.

80 more firefighters are on their way to the scene this morning, along with air support if required.

Fortis electrical crews are also on scene assessing impacts to hydro infrastructure and ensuring safety of ground crews.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time.

– This story was updated at 10 a.m. Aug. 5, 2019 to provide new information from B.C. Wildfire service.

-This story was updated at 12:03 p.m. Aug. 5, 2019 to provide new information from Environment Canada regarding air quality.

-This story was updated at 3:15 p.m. Aug. 5, 2019 to provide new information about the size of the fire.

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