An evacuation order has been issued for 325 homes near Peachland, after the Munro Lake Wildfire has grown to more than 74 hectares and is classified as out of control.

The fire, which sprang up around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon, grew quickly from a small, car-sized blaze to 10 hectares in under an hour as it was fanned by strong winds in the area.

Helicopters and air tankers have been called in, with crews from Lake Country and Vernon’s BX Swan Lake Fire Department attacking from the ground. The cause is still unknown, though the area is popular with backcountry users, including campers, off-road motorcyclists and ATVers.

The fire, which is now a class 3 — spreading moderately, as winds have died down — is burning down the slope towards Peachland, and trees continue to “candle” or jump f

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