Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer - Penticton

Photo: Contributed - Google Maps

This is the area of Willowbrook that is under an evacuation alert because of a wildfire southwest of Okanagan Falls.

8:30 p.m. update: According to forestry crews in charge, the fire is now "under control" and evacuations of homes on Willowbrook Road and Yellowbrick Road were not needed.

The specific cause of this wildfire remains under investigation, but it is believed to have been human-caused.

Total size of the fire is now estimated to be 70 hectares.

6:30 p.m. update: An evacuation alert has been issued by the Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen for 12 homes near this wildfire. 

On Willowbrook Road: Properties located at 3566, 3639, 3749, 3775, 4351. 

On Yellowbrick Road: Properties located at 192, 131, 137, 132, 145, 144, 138.

For details about the evacuation alert, go to the Wildfire Management Branch website.

According to BC Forest Fire Info, the fire is not threatening the observatory.

--Raw video by Richard J. Giles.

5:30 p.m. update: The forest fire on White Lake Road, near the White Lake Observatory, has now consumed more than 50 hectares and continues to burn "agressively" according to Michaela Swan, Communications Officer with the Kamloops Fire Centre Wildfire Management Branch.

Currently there are 31 firefighters combatting the blaze while an aerial bombardment is taking place thanks to three helicopters and seven air tankers.

"The fire is burning quite aggressively in grass and timber," explained Swan. "Winds on site are also gusting at 20-25 kilometres per hour."

Meanwhile, Wildfire Management Branch is working with Regional District of Okanagan Similikameen on evacuation in the area. So far only three homes have been affected - all located along White Lake Road.

Access to the area is restricted to emergency personnel only.

Original Story: A brush fire broke out close to the Dominion Radio Telescope Observatory on White Lake Road in the Willowbrook area south of Penticton about 3:15 p.m. this afternoon.

According to early information, the blaze is considered a "fast running fire" and has quickly spread from the brush and was last observed climbing trees and has jumped the road and apparently the blaze is being fuelled by strong winds and hot, dry fuel.

Tanker trucks, at least one helicopter and forestry officials are en route as of about 3:30 p.m.

Officials with Willowbrook volunteer fire department, the first responders, have also requested RCMP support  for traffic control and have also requested additional help and support from Kaleden Fire Department.

No further information is available at press time, but updates will follow as they come in.