A wildfire burning in steep and rocky terrain in the southern Okanagan is defying containment efforts and has grown to nine square kilometres in size.
The B.C.Wildfire Service maps show flames are moving through an area of cliffs and other challenging terrain on the east side of Highway 97 and officials say that is making the fire extremely difficult to battle
An evacuation alert covering 206 properties just north of Oliver was expanded late Tuesday to cover a section of the Osoyoos Indian Band reserve that includes a business park and the Okanagan Correctional Centre, which has 378 jail cells.
The Wildfire Service says the fire that began on Sunday grew overnight into Wednesday.
UPDATE: #EagleBluff #BCWildfire is ~900 ha. Increase in size is largely due to better mapping yesterday evening, but the fire did see some growth overnight due to the topography of the area. #Evacuation alert remains in place, for more info on alerts contact @EmergMgtRDOS (1/2)
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) August 7, 2019
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the area as temperatures continue to rise. The high heat is expected to continue through Thursday, with cooler weather not expected until Friday.
An air quality statement has been issued due to the fire.
“People with pre-existing health conditions, the elderly, pregnant women and infants, children, and sensitive individuals are more likely to experience health effects from smoke exposure,” read a statement from Environment Canada.
As of Tuesday night, about 80 firefighting crews were on the ground, with air support and operational staff.
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