UPDATED: BC Wildfire continues to battle Eagle Bluff fire

by Lone Sheep Publishing on Sunday July 30 2023

The BC Wildfire Service said the Eagle Bluff wildfire saw limited growth observed along the east and north flanks Monday night with a majority of activity has been observed along the west flank and northwest corner of the wildfire.

BC Wildfire Service said the wildfire, which has grown to 3,044 hectares (10,245 acres near Oroville in Washington State), first ignited in the U.S. before crossing the Canada — United States border on July 29, 2023.

BCWS initial attack crews, structure protection personnel, and heavy equipment have been assigned to this incident. Initial attack personnel remained on site overnight and were on site this morning.

Objectives

A crew and structure protection personnel patrolled overnight in priority areas.

A B.C. Incident Management Team is transitioning into the incident to take over response efforts today. They will be integrated with the Incident Management team that is currently managing the portion of this wildfire burning south of the Canada-United States Border.

Heavy equipment and wildfire personnel started early this morning on a contingency line that will tie into Highway 3. They will be working off Highway 3, moving west on an old guard from a previous fire.

A line locator will be scouting line for heavy equipment to establish machine guard ahead of the north flank of the fire.

There are four helicopters currently assigned to the incident, with two more arriving before the end of the day. Airtankers will be utilized where achievable objectives exist.

Structure protection will continue to triage properties and set up gear as necessary.

Warning to Drone Operators

The operation of any aircraft not associated with fire suppression activities within this area, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or drones), is illegal. The presence of drones near an active wildfire can slow down or completely shut down aerial firefighting efforts, due to safety concerns. This type of activity is extremely dangerous and poses a significant safety risk to personnel, especially when low-flying firefighting aircraft are present. If a UAV/drone collides with firefighting aircraft, the consequences could be deadly. There is zero tolerance for people who fly UAVs/drones in active wildfire areas. The rules regarding UAVs/drone use are very clear and simple to understand. There is no excuse for wilfully disregarding the regulations. In the interest of air crew and public safety, British Columbians are asked to keep their UAVs/drones well away from wildfires.

Evacuation Information

The Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen and City of Osoyoos have issued an Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alerts for several areas. For any information regarding Evacuation Alerts or Orders, please contact the City of Osoyoos, or theRegional District of the Okanagan Similkameen.

Previous Story:

Eagle Bluff wildfire near Osoyoos grows to 1,450 hectares

The BC Wildfire Service said the Eagle Bluff wildfire on the outskirts, approximately four kilometers southwest of Osoyoos, has grown to 1,450 hectares north of the Canada/U.S. Border.

The wildfire first ignited in the U.S. before crossing the Canada- United States border Saturday evening (July 29).

The BC Wildfire Service said the fire size is based on most current information available and is a measurement of the portion of this wildfire that is currently burning on the north side of the Canada-United States Border.

The BC Wildfire Service said there are currently 61 firefighters responding to this incident. Operations are running 24 hours with the addition of five helicopters and 11 pieces of heavy machinery responding to this wildfire.

DriveBC has continued its Travel Advisory for Highway 3 between Osoyoos and Keremeos. DriveBC recommends the detour via Highway 3A to Highway 97.

Check DriveBC for the latest updates.

Osoyoos remains under a state of Local Emergency.

Previous Story:

Osoyoos on edge after wildfire sparks up south of US Border

The BC Wildfire Service said crews are responding to the Eagle Bluff wildfire outside Osoyoos, currently estimated to be 855 hectares in size and classified as Out of Control.

The BC Wildfire Service said this wildfire first ignited in the U.S. before crossing the Canada- United States border Saturday evening (July 29).

"BCWS initial attack crews, structure protection personnel, and heavy equipment have been assigned to this incident," the BC Wildfire Service website said.

"Initial attack personnel remained on site overnight and were on site (Sunday) morning."

The BC Wildfire Service said an additional 50 personnel are on this incident Sunday, along with heavy equipment and structure protection with Airtankers responding to this incident Sunday, July 30, 2023.

The BC Wildfire Service said crews are working along the east flank of this fire with support from aerial resources.

"Crews will be conducting small-scale hand ignitions along the eastern flank to tie into the machine guard that heavy equipment has been working on," BC Wildfire Service said.

"Structure protection crews are working in Kilpoola today to assess and triage structure protection needs."

The Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen and City of Osoyoos have issued an Evacuation Order and Evacuation Alerts for several areas.

For any information regarding Evacuation Alerts or Orders, please contact the City of Osoyoos, or the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen.

Properties from the east side of Highway 97 and west side of Osoyoos Lake from the US Border:

DriveBC is warning the public that travel is not recommended on Highway 3 between Keremeos and Osoyoos, in both directions due to the forest fire between Keremeos and Kingfisher Dr for 47.7 km (Keremeos to Osoyoos).

DriveBC said a detour is available and in effect via Highway 3A to Highway 97.

The next update time Monday, July 31 at 10:30 a.m., PDT.