B.C. fires: 27 properties ordered evacuated near Oliver

A wildfire in British Columbia's southern Okanagan has forced authorities to evacuate 27 homes and properties.

The evacuation orders apply to properties along the Fairview Road area west of Oliver, B.C. None of the 27 properties was immediately threatened.

Another 273 properties are on evacuation alert, said Cameron Baughen, of the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional district.

Baughen said search and rescue teams went door-to-door Friday informing affected residents that they had to leave.

The Testalinden fire, which began Aug. 14 about seven kilometres south of Oliver, is about 37-square kilometres in size.

Baughen said the wildfire moved north on Friday, prompting the evacuation order.

Community centre provides support

"The difficulty of fighting the fire in that area because there are a lot of trees up there, meant that the fire was actually moving to the north rapidly, so we felt that an evacuation order, to evacuate the 27 properties that are affected, was a prudent action at this time."

Baughen said people affected by the evacuation order can report to a local community centre for emergency social services.

The evacuation order is the second to be issued for the Testalinden Creek fire, Baughen said.

Meanwhile, the B.C. wildfire service said 232 firefighters, 11 helicopters and 21 pieces of heavy equipment are battling the flames. The fire is one of 169 fires burning across the province.

Environment Canada is forecasting showers and a risk of thunderstorms in the area on Saturday and showers on Sunday.