Wildfire spreads into British Columbia from Washington state

British Columbia’s Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations said on Friday that 13 new wildfires are burning the Kamloops Fire Centre region, including one that has spread into B.C. from the United States.

A press release from the ministry said that the Sidley Mountain wildfire in the Penticton Fire Zone started in Washington state and has spread across the Canadian border east of Osoyoos. The fire, caused by lightning, now covers about 50 hectares and has prompted an evacuation order for residents of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary.

Firefighting aircraft are supporting ground crews to slow the fire’s spread in grass and open timber. Firefighters and heavy equipment operators worked overnight and more crews are on site this morning, the ministry said on Friday. “Good progress has been made to guard the fire on the Canadian side of the border,” the release said. “BC Wildfire Service officials are working closely with their counterparts in the United States, who are also responding to this incident.”

There are two other “fires of note.” The Skuhun Mountain wildfire in the Merritt Fire Zone is burning between Highway 8 and Highway 97C. Air and ground crews responded to this fast-moving 300-hectare wildfire on Thursday afternoon. On Friday, over 80 firefighters are on site and supported by helicopters and heavy equipment. The ministry said that the fire is suspected to be human-caused, but is currently under investigation. No evacuation orders or alerts are in effect.

The other fire of note is the Long Lake Road wildfire in the Kamloops Fire Zone, burning west of Stump Lake. On Thursday, the fire, caused by lightning, grew to about 236 hectares. Firefighters, airtankers, helicopters and heavy equipment worked hard to slow the fire’s spread. Crews remained on site overnight and the fire is now 60% contained, the ministry reported. More than 50 personnel are working to build fire guards and increase containment. No structures are immediately threatened by this fire.