A large wildfire is burning near the South Okanagan community of Okanagan Falls, and it’s estimated to be 450 hectares in size, up from 100 earlier in the evening.
According to data from the BC Wildfire Service on Sunday afternoon, the Thomas Creek fire is around 3 kilometres to the northeast of Okanagan Falls.
The fire is deemed to be out of control, with BC Wildfire listing it as likely being caused by a person.
On Sunday evening, around 7:30 p.m., the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen issued an evacuation order affecting 77 properties in Electoral Area D.
“Pursuant to the Emergency Program Act, an evacuation order has been issued by the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) due to immediate danger to life safety due to the Thomas Creek wildfire, east of Skaha Lake in Electoral Area D,” said the RDOS.
“RCMP and Penticton Search and Rescue will be expediting this action.”
To view the affected addresses on Allendale Lake Road, Chapman Road, Eastside Road, Harkin Creek Road, Matheson Road, McLean Creek Road, visit this website or Emergency Info BC.
All evacuees are asked to register online with the Emergency Support Services (ESS) Evacuee Registration and Assistance (ERA) tool even if they do not require referrals such as housing or other services.
Smoke from the fire can be seen in Penticton and other area communities.
Several photos of the fire have been sent to Global News. They can be seen below.