Wildfire prompts evacuation alert for 43 properties northwest of Princeton, B.C.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has issued an evacuation alert for 43 properties northwest of Princeton as a small wildfire burns nearby.

The blaze was sparked Sunday by lightning but had charred just 22 hectares by yesterday evening.

A crew of 50, backed by heavy equipment, helicopters and airtankers, is assigned to contain the fire, which is the largest of just over 20 that broke out over the long weekend.

The BC Wildfire Service lists the fire danger across much of the southern quarter of the province as high to extreme but Environment Canada says cooler weather and rain are forecast by Thursday.