Wildfire near Okanagan Falls grows to 5,000 ha

A wildfire burning near Okanagan Falls has grown to 5,000 hectares.

Aydan Coray, fire information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said the latest update on the fire's size was determined last night, July 14, but air crews will be getting another estimate this morning.

The fire's growth yesterday was primarily on the eastern side, where crews remained overnight, she said. Today the service will have at least 30 personnel on site with six helicopters bucketing throughout the day.

Ground crews will focus on the west and southwest ends to protect homes in the area and will be establishing fire guards with heavy equipment in that area, she said.

An evacuation alert for 704 properties in the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen's electoral area D remains in effect. For more information on the evacuation alert, visit the regional district's website.

The fire is still classified as out of control.

– With files from Levi Landry

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