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Multiple homes evacuated in Okanagan Falls due to wildfire

  • Update: The wildfire is now estimated to be 16.3 hectares in size, up from six-hectares early Monday morning
  • 22 homes and the Okanagan Falls Provincial Park campsite have been voluntarily evacuated
  • The fire is believed to have been caused by downed power lines
  • The wildfire is considered 75 per cent contained
Click to play video: 'Okanagan Falls wildfire 50 per cent contained Monday morning'
Okanagan Falls wildfire 50 per cent contained Monday morning
WATCH: Reporter Neetu Garcha has an update Monday morning of the wildfire burning near Okanagan Falls. – Aug 22, 2016

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.

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The fire grew rapidly, quickly covering the mountainside. Overnight, the winds died down, helping crews battling the flames.

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Watch Below: Fire crews battle the Okanagan Falls Wildfire Monday morning.

John Psiurski, who was one of those residents asked to leave his home, says he does not know how the fire started. “Fortunately the wind died down,” he said, “but if it picks up again that whole mountainside, it’s gonna go, because there’s nowhere really to stop it.”

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Fire crews are also battling a wildfire west of West Kelowna.

More details to come.

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