A fast-moving wildfire in the western Canadian interior has sparked a new evacuation order, the second such order in the last two days.

The evacuation order covers 60 seasonal properties north of Kamloops, which is 220 miles (350 kilometers) northeast of Vancouver.

It was issued a few hours after residents who were forced out of their homes earlier this week by another wildfire had been allowed to return.

Michaela Swan, an information officer at the Kamloops Fire Centre, said Thursday the blaze was discovered Wednesday afternoon and within a few hours it ballooned from 49 acres (20 hectares) to 370 acres (150 hectares).

Liz Cornwell, a regional district spokeswoman, says about 125 residents were affected by the evacuation order.

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has declared a local state of emergency.

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Last Updated: 8:48 PM 07/28/10

Firefighters in Western Canada are battling to save hundreds of homes from a wildfire.

The blaze broke out late Tuesday night and by Wednesday morning, the fire had scorched about 125 acres in Kamloops, 220 miles northeast of Vancouver, British Columbia.

Fire information officer Elise Reidlinger said Wednesday that crews are battling erratic winds, steep terrain and bone-dry trees killed by insect infestations in an attempt to quell the blaze.

Kamloops Fire and Rescue Captain Sheldon Guertin says more than 150 people were evacuated from a trailer park close to the flames and many more residents in neighboring subdivisions have been placed on evacuation alert.