From the fire line

Photo: Contributed - Lee Thomas Baker

The night sky between Oliver and Osoyoos is aglow tonight as two uncontained wildfires burn on the west side of Highway 97.

Evacuation orders and alerts have been issued for residents near both the Testalinden Creek fire, six kilometres north of Osoyoos, and the Wilson's Mountain fire, just northwest of the town.

B.C. Wildfire Service spokesperson Kayla Pepper said some 50 forestry firefighters are working the two fires. Oliver Fire Department crews are also involved at the Wilson's Mountain blaze.

The Testalinden fire began with a lightning strike, according to an area resident. The cause of the Wilson's Mountain fire remains under investigation.

A resident near Highway 97 and Road 18 said the Testalinden fire began with a lightning strike about 5:15 p.m. 

“It was a small patch at first,” said the witness, who would only identify himself as Bill. “Then, the wind came up and it started growing fast.”

About 9 p.m., it had grown to about 450 hectares. It was within 500 metres of the Highway 97. To the west, it had burned to within a few metres of Highway 3.

Oliver RCMP said about 9 p.m. five homes were ordered evacuated and others in the area were put under evacuation alert. 

In downtown Oliver, smoke hung heavily in the air. The Wilson's Mountain fire was burning inside the town limits, less than a kilometre from the local high school. Pepper said there had been no reports of buildings being burned, however.

She said evacuations had been ordered for some residents. The fire had grown to about 90 hectares by 8:30 p.m. and threatened the northwest area of town.