Out-of-Control Wildfire Crosses From US To Canada; Over 2,000 Under Evacuation Alerts

(Photo : Pexels/Daniel Joseph Petty)

Some 2,000 properties have been placed under evacuation alerts in a Canadian town after a wildfire had crossed border from Washington the Canada.

According to a report posted on Reuters, an evacuation order was issued across 732 properties in the town of Osoyoos as well as its surrounding areas in the province of British Columbia due to a wildfire, which has been out of control.

Due to the effects of the wildfire, a total of 132 individuals have sought emergency assistance and support from the authorities.

Officials from the British Columbia Wildfire Service dubbed the wildfire as "Eagle Bluff," which was more or less four kilometers from the said town and was estimated to be 885 hectares in size as regards the Canadian side of the border.

Evacuation order

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the Town of Osoyoos stated that the evacuation order has been issued in order "to protect the health, safety or welfare of a person or to limit damage to property due to the threat of a wildfire."

Officials advised members the RCMP and other agencies under the direction of the said office to expedite the action to ensure the protection of the public.

The said order, meanwhile, covers the area north of the Canada/US border to the intersection of Highway #97 and Highway #3 as well as the west and north along Highway #3.

A CBC News entry indicated that an evacuation alert means residents should prepare to evacuate their homes, possibly with little to no notice, amid the threat of the wildfire. On the other hand, an evacuation order means residents should leave immediately for their safety.

It was observed that a growing plume of smoke as well as flames were seen from Osoyoos Lake on Saturday afternoon, and this smoke has blanketed the skies since Saturday evening.

The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) said that the wildfire has now scorched an area of more or less 8.8 square kilometers on the Canadian side, while the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WSDNR) gave an estimation that it had burned more than 40 square kilometers in the US.

Shaelee Stearns, a BCWS fire information officer, said in the CBC News report that there have been 50 personnel who are exerting their full efforts to combat the fire. They have been using a total of 11 heavy equipment and air support to control the wildfire.

"There are Initial Attack crew personnel, several single resources, two helicopters, structure protection personnel and heavy equipment responding to the incident," BCWS said in a VOA News report.

What to do

The Town of Osoyoos advised residents to reduce water usage in order to guarantee that the town's reservoirs will be available for the fire department in battling the fire.

Authorities also called on the public to leave the area immediately once directed by officials. They should also follow the directions being given by emergency responders.

When traveling, they should also follow the safest route available.

The public is also asked to go to the Oliver Community Centre - Meeting Room 2, Located at 6359 Park Drive, Oliver BC if they need immediate assistance.

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