UPDATE: Wildfire near Okanagan Falls grows to 1,100 ha

A large wildfire burning out of control near Okanagan Falls is now 1,100 hectares in size.

The Thomas Creek wildfire, located about 1.5 kilometres east of Skaha Lake, was mapped at 900 hectares in size yesterday. The fire was first discovered July 11 and is still considered to be out of control.

Aydan Coray, fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said today, July 13, the updated size is due to more accurate mapping and the fact the fire has grown.

“There's smoke in the area that make it difficult to track," Coray said. 

Today, the B.C. Wildfire has 30 personnel on the ground with assistance from six helicopters, multiple pieces of heavy equipment, as well as structure protection units and the local fire department.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has downgraded an evacuation order for 77 properties in Electoral Area D to an evacuation alert. An evacuation alert for 627 other properties in Electoral Area D remains in effect.

For more information on evacuation alerts and orders, visit the regional district’s website.

— This story was updated July 13, 2021 at 4 p.m. to include new information from the wildfire service.

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