Over two dozen firefighters are battling a blaze in Okanagan Falls near Penticton.
The estimated size of the fire has grown to 16.3 hectares but the blaze is still considered 75 per cent contained. Early Monday morning the blaze was believed to be six-hectares. It is now believed downed power lines started the fire.
22 homes and the Okanagan Falls Provincial Park campsite were voluntarily evacuated. While residents are not being prevented from returning to their homes, they are being advised that if they return, they are doing so at their own risk.
Okanagan Falls Provincial Park is closed at this time.
Residents in the small community of about 2,500 people started noticing flames spring up along the side of the mountain around 10:30 p.m. on Sunday.
The fire grew rapidly, quickly covering the mountainside. Overnight, the winds died down, helping crews battling the flames.
Watch Below: Fire crews battle the Okanagan Falls Wildfire Monday morning.
.@BCGovFireInfo crews in action in #OKFalls, working to fully contain the six hectare wildfire. pic.twitter.com/nvZJpSRUcD
— Neetu Garcha (@NeetuGarcha) August 22, 2016
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