British Columbia is expected to experience sustained wildfire activity in August and September, especially in southern regions, with a long-range forecast of hot-dry weather.
Shortly after the wildfire forecast came Thursday, the Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District upgraded an evacuation order to include all residents in the community of Olalla, about 40 kilometres south of Penticton. This was later expanded to include 20 additional properties south of Ollala.
The district also issued evacuation alerts for the Village of Keremeos and rural Keremeos.
More than 300 properties had previously been evacuated as the wildfire consumed more than 42 square kilometres of rugged terrain in the Penticton area.
“People are concerned about their paths to safety,” said Tim Roberts, the Olalla area’s regional director. “It’s an ever-evolving, fast-changing event.”…