Border-crossing wildfire burning dangerously close to Osoyoos, B.C.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameenand the Town of Osoyoosissued an evacuation orderSaturday eveningfor732 propertiesin and around Osoyoosin response to an out-of-control wildfire thatcrossed over the U.S.-Canada border.

The Eagle Bluff fireis burning about four kilometres from the town of Osoyoos in B.C.'s southern Interior and is considered to be a wildfire of note. The town, which is 400 km east of Vancouver, has just over 5,000 residents.

Previous wildfire updates referred to the fire on the Canadian side of the border as the Lone Pine Creek fire, but both sides of the wildfire are now being referred to as the Eagle Bluff fire.

The evacuation order covers the area north of the border to the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 3, as well as west and north along Highway 3.

On Sunday morning, more than 2,000 properties in west Osoyoos were placed on evacuation alert, as wasa stretch of land on the west side of Osoyoos Lake extending northwards along Highway 97.

An evacuation alert means residents should prepare to evacuate their homes, possibly with little to no notice. An evacuation order means residents should leave immediately.

WATCH | Residents flee Osoyoos on Saturday:

Residents drive away from out-of-control wildfire in Osoyoos, B.C.

1 year ago

Duration 0:17

Mary Cervenko sent in this video of her daughter fleeing the southern B.C. Interior town of Osoyoos due to the rapidly spreading Eagle Bluff fire on July 29.

A growing plume of smoke and flames werevisible fromOsoyoos Lake on Saturday afternoon, and smoke has blanketed the skies since Saturday evening.

B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS)says the Eagle Bluff fire is now burning over an area of 8.8square kilometreson the Canadian side, while the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WSDNR)estimates the U.S. portionis more than 40 square kilometres in size as of Sunday afternoon, with significant growth observed overnight.

BCWSsays they are in close communication with WSDNRfire services to collaborate on fires close tothe U.S.-Canada border.

High winds drove the fire's growth over the border Saturday afternoon, which slowed as winds changed overnight, saidShaelee Stearns, a BCWS fire information officer.

"Yesterday evening, we were seeing ... increased and aggressive activity for the fire behaviour,"said Stearns on Sunday morning.

WATCH | Resident captures wildfire growth in timelapse video:

Timelapse video shows growth of wildfire south of Osoyoos, B.C.

1 year ago

Duration 0:24

The Eagle Bluff wildfire spread across the Canada-U.S. border and led to evacuation orders in the southern Interior. (Credit: Andrew Pace)

There are 50personnel battling the fire, plus 11 pieces of heavy equipment and air support,saidStearns.

The around-the-clock response is focused on the east flank of the fire and a structure protection crew is working in the Kilpoola area, she added.

"We still have quite a fair amount of resources assigned to the incident," said Stearns.

The blaze came right up to Nathan Ondrus's backyard, which skirts Crown land and sits by the Osoyoos golf course.

"The fire was right on the back of the property. It was burning right on the edge of my property,"he said. "The firefighters did an awesome job. They did some back burns and pushed it away from the houses."

Ondrus, who was under evacuation order, sent his family away but chose to stay behind to keep an eye on his property and help firefighters.

It was a scary night, he said.

"But I'm just looking here. Everything's looking black up there [by the mountains], but all the houses are safe and the fire is moving away from the dense areas of Osoyoos."

The Town of Osoyoosissued a statement Saturday evening requesting residents reduce water usage to ensure the town's reservoirs are available for the fire department.

Stearns urged residents on both sides of the border to avoid boating on Osoyoos Lake in order to allow air tankers to gather needed water to fight the fire.

"This hinders our response," said Stearns. "That has a domino effect and could also affect crews on the ground when there's boats in the water."

A state of local emergency was declared for the town late on Saturday night and isset to last until Aug. 5, unless it is extended. Evacuees are being told to head to the community centre in nearby Oliver, B.C., located at 6359 Park Drive.

More than 132 evacuated households had registered at the centre as of 1 p.m. Sunday afternoon, according to RDOS spokesperson Erick Thompson.

OsoyoosMayor Sue McKortoff expressed her sympathies to those evacuated and on alert, and thanked the wildfire crews and locals offering to helpevacuees and those battling the fire.

"It's wonderful to know we have that support in our community."

Residents are encouraged to check the RDOSwebsite for updates on changes to evacuation orders and alerts, and the Voyent! Alert app to get emergency notifications.

WATCH | Osoyoos residents asked to conserve water for firefighting:

Hundreds flee B.C. town as 2 wildfires merge over the Canada-U.S. border

1 year ago

Duration 2:22

An out-of-control, fast-moving wildfire has crossed from Washington state into British Columbia, fusing with an existing fire and threatening the town of Osoyoos. Hundreds have already been ordered out, and thousands more could follow.