The Lower Campbell Creek wildfire east of Penticton remains out of control and 223 hectares in size, as of Saturday afternoon, July 27.

After heavy equipment was sent to aid firefighting efforts on July 25, cooler temperatures over the past two nights have helped stabilize growth, according to BC Wildfire Service information officer Cassidy Martin.

The blaze, located between Penticton and the communities of Carmi and Beaverdell, was discovered on July 23.

Along with 24 BCWS personnel and seven pieces of heavy equipment, one helicopter is currently assigned to the blaze and will be bucketing throughout the day when needed.

Martin said heavy equipment is still being used to help establish a machine guard around the blaze. Crews on Saturday will continue to focus on both the southern and northern flanks, she added.

Evacuation alerts remain in place for five properties within the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary: 75 Carmi Creek Forest Service Road, 6645 Highway 33, 145 Wilkinson Creek Forest Service Road, 200 Wilkinson Creek Forest Service Road and 380 Wilkinson Creek Forest Service Road.

The fire was caused by lightning and grew by more than 10 times in size on July 24.

It has remained more than 200 hectares in size since Wednesday.