UPDATE 12:30 pm –

The Christie Mountain wildfire is now estimated to be about 1,400 hectares in size, and wildfire activity is expected to increase as the heat of the day goes on.

“The fire is burning in difficult rocky sloped terrain with limited access points for ground crews and heavy equipment. Most of the growth is attributed to overnight winds. This estimate will change once smoke begins to dissipate and visibility becomes better,” the BCWS said.

“The wind is currently favourable and the fire is moving in a southeasterly direction away from town at this time. It continues to exhibit rank 2 behaviour with pockets of rank 3 where the sunlight hits. Rank 3 fire behaviour – Organized surface flame front, moderate rate of spread, vigorous surface fire.”

Fire activity is expected to increase as we move into the hottest and driest part of the day.

There are 66 firefighters are on site working with local fire departments and structure protection personnel. They are being supported by nine helicopters, while four water tenders continue to shuttle water to help with suppression efforts.

ORIGINAL – The City of Penticton has issued an evacuation alert for 3,669 properties located in the south east portion of that city.

It’s due to the Christie Mountain wildfire, about 6 km north of Okanagan Falls that is burning at about 1,000 hectares in size as of the last update. The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze is on a rocky terrain and very difficult for ground crews to fight.

A further 116 properties in the Upper Carmi area are also on alert, while another 18 hectare fire near Beverdell, south of Carmi, has also prompted an evacuation alert for 44 properties.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has also issued an evacuation order for more than 300 properties in the Heritage Hills area yesterday afternoon.

There were 21 firefighters who were on site overnight building control lines. Fire departments from across the South Okanagan are working to protect structures that are in the path of the fire. There are more resources expected to arrive on scene today.

“The sun rises. It was a long night,” a facebook post from the Okanagan Falls volunteer fire said.

“Many areas of the fire saw some beneficial wind direction overnight, and some good progress was made. We hope conditions are favourable today, and that the heat and winds of the day don’t whip things up. Waiting on air support. Thanks to all those in the community who have offered words of support.”

The Oliver Fire Department too noted that a page for assistance went out at 1 a.m. for most of the South Okanagan fire departments. It sent a water tender to support the engine already on scene.

“OFD crews held a strong defensive perimeter throughout the night in their assigned area. Relief crews from Oliver will be heading out to replace those members that held the line throughout the night,” the fire department said Wednesday morning.

Fire Information Officer Gagan Lidhran previously told NL News that several new wildfires across since yesterday are believed to be human caused.

There are now 106 active wildfires burning in the province with 90 of them sparking in the past two days alone.

Watch this story for updates

(Photo via Oliver Fire Department)