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A rapidly spreading wildfire near Oliver grew again overnight Friday, as crews conducted successful controlled burns in a bid to stop the fire from spreading to homes in the area.

On Saturday, the Eagle Bluff fire was estimated to be more than 27 square kilometres, up from nine square kilometres Wednesday and just two square kilometres on Monday.

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The B.C. Wildfire Service says more crews were brought in and now there are 169 firefighters, 15 helicopter and 19 pieces of heavy equipment to fight the blaze.

Fire information officer Nicole Bonnett said officials had expected the fire, burning about 10 kilometres south of Okanagan Falls, to grow as it is burning in terrain that is difficult for crews.

The cause of the blaze is still under investigation but fire information officer Kyla Fraser said Saturday the fire is moving away from communities. The evacuation alert remains in place for more than 240 properties, including residential homes, RV parks, mobile home parks and recreational campsites.