SIT REP 3: July 30, 2023, PM UPDATE

INCIDENT SUMMARY

One fire in two locations, even in two countries is burning and threatening structures.

The fire can be seen from the Oroville High School, where a Red Cross shelter was located.

The fire which originated in Oroville, Washington has basically burned almost eight miles in length across the WA/CANADIAN border, It has become a wildfire-turned-firestorm, prompting previous LEVEL 2 & 3 evacuation orders on both sides of the borders.

The original fire started on Saturday, July 29, 2023, from an unknown cause, which is under investigation at this time and under investigation by both the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office and WA DNR Fire Officials.

Fire coverage will contain both locations in WA and BC’s stats and updates.

OROVILLE, WASHINGTON U.S.A.

(Okanogan County)

WHAT FIREFIGHTERS ARE SEEING ON THE FIRE GROUND:

“Last night, District 6 responded with mutual aid to the still-growing Eagles Bluff Fire in Oroville. This explosive fire took off Saturday afternoon near the town of Oroville. District members Asst. Chief Rusty Stamps, Capt Keith Comstock, and firefighters Jerry Oliver, Miles Milliken, Ken Malloch, Ted Lafferty, and Bob Burns responded with the Urban Interface Engine E643 from Winthrop and the Water Tender T641.

Their first assignment was on the Loomis-Oroville Road near the golf course to protect structures, control some fire flare-ups, extinguish burning power poles, and support other agencies.

They then moved up to meet with the border agents and triage the US Border Compound plus the neighboring RV park, where they worked through the night until morning.

The last assignment before being released this morning, was to support dozer operations around homes as the fire was backing toward the structures. – Okanogan Co Fire District 6, Capt. Keith Comstock.

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CURRENT STATUS: On Sunday, July 30, 2023, the wildfire burned now a total of 10,245 acres and still has a 0% containment status. This is a very angry firestorm that seems to be fed by high temps and fierce winds. Fire behavior has been observed as moderate with short runs, flanking, torching and, short-range spotting. LEVEL 3 evacuations have been reduced to LEVEL 2 (GET READY).

CLOSED: Loomis-Oroville Road due to guardrail damage, rockslides off the hillsides and, Emergency vehicles/equipment on the roadway making it hazardous for drivers This is from Oroville to Nighthawk. Blue Lake Road from Golden Road to Wannacut Lake. Ellemeham Mountain Road at Golden Road. Red Cross Shelter due to Level 3 evacuations have been reduced to Level 2s.

(L) This is from a video posted on the Fire Agency’s Facebook Page showing the magnitude of the fire. This is a very dangerous wildfire, as any and all, unlike this firestorm.

Photo Credit: Okanogan County Fire District 6

FIRE RESOURCES: There are about 250-plus firefighters assigned to this incident on the US side which include members from Okanogan County Fire District 6; WA DNR BC 11, DNR 60, BC 91, C 7340, BC 12, SO 7203, SO 25, Fuels 9, HI 7104, HI 7111, DZ 7251, DNR 33, and Fuels 1. NE WIMT (type 3 IMT) Team 2, Lake Wenatchee F&R, Mid-Columbia Strike Team.

The Mid-Columbia Strike Team consists of the following members with the City of Moses Lake (Grant County), Wenatchee Valley Firefighters, Chelan County Fire Districts 3, 7, and 9, who make up the full team.

(L) Mid-Columbia Strike Team

The [Strike Team]: “Our strike team has 5 engines, 1 Tender, 1 STL and 1 STL trainee.

Today our team spent the day on the Eastern line of the fire providing structure protection and solidifying containment lines put in by dozer crews the evening of the 29th.

Due to the predicted wind change and the red flag warning, there was an emphasis on the southeastern containment line early in the day, and as the wind shifted to the north, we transitioned to ensure previous lines were held.

Air crews, including 6 SEAT planes and 4 Q-400s started their day providing retardant and wet lines to the northern fire line, and at least two other Type 3 Strike Teams worked on containment to the Western line. Fire is still very much so active on the Western flank.”

OTHER RESOURCES: Red Cross, Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office, Okanogan County Emergency Management, Wannacut Lake Resort (Lake being used as a source for dipping for aircraft),

FIRE TACTICS: On the south, west and north boundaries of the fire, suppression tactics will include constructing, monitoring and improving fire line, point protection and direct suppression activities as opportunities arise.

WEATHER FORECAST: Winds are expected to remain gusty throughout the evening, with activity moderating through the next 24 hours. Relative humidity will also decrease to the teens throughout the day on Monday. Dry weather with lighter winds will influence active fire behavior on exposed slopes, ridge tops, and along unchecked edges.  

US NWS SPOKANE: HRRR smoke loop showing north winds tonight/MON AM pushing smoke down the Okanogan Valley. Then south winds push smoke back north in the afternoon, before cycle repeats MON Night. More can be found in today’s updated smoke blog post from the Department of Ecology: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/2023/07/eagle-bluff-fire-threatening-oroville.html?fbclid=IwAR1uSRQwS9lvI43xIuML3O5mDtmz1ujlMEjUKjbtrPV4Y4xIbvLzsPo0XME

CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS: Current weather conditions as of 2220 hours PT in Oroville are temps at 73*F degrees, 0 precip, winds down to 5-MPH and Humidity up to 39%.

REPORT DAMAGE OR DESTROYED STRUCTURES: Okanogan County Emergency Management and report it at 509-422-7206.

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BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Osoyoos

BC: The fire is listed at 885 acres as of this morning, which equals to about

LODD: We send our sincere sympathies to Canada for the loss of a third wildland firefighter, who was lost on the DONNIE CREEK FIRE this morning. – Ed.

FIRE RESOURCES: BC Wildfire Services (Photo Credit), Willowbrook Volunteer Fire Department, Kaleden VFD,

CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS: Current weather conditions as of 2220 hours PDT are 71*F with 0 precip, winds at 4-MPH and RH at 40% at the moment.

(L) Explosive fire shows its grip on the Canadian landscape in Osoyoos last night. Photo Credit: Willowbrook VRFD

EVACUATIONS ARE IN EFFECT:

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen Emergency Operations Centre (RDOS EOC) and the Town of Osoyoos EOC have issued an Evacuation ORDER for 732 properties in Electoral Area “A” and the Town of Osoyoos due to the Eagle Bluff wildfire (K52318). The ORDER covers the area north of the Canada/U.S. border to the intersection of Highway 97 and Highway 3, west and north along Highway 3.

The Regional District and the Town of Osoyoos EOC have issued an Evacuation ALERT for 2,094 properties in Electoral Area “A”, “B” and “C” and the Town of Osoyoos.

For the latest updates on Evacuation Alerts and Orders, please visit emergency.rdos.bc.ca.

Emergency Support Services (ESS) 250-486-1890
If you are on an Evacuation ALERT or ORDER, or if you have been displaced from your home due to an emergency, please self-register for ESS. Evacuee Registration & Assistance (ERA): ess.gov.bc.ca

Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team
If you are in an area under an Evacuation Alert, please make arrangements to relocate animals or livestock. Contact ALERT (Animal Lifeline Emergency Response Team for assistance: 250-809-7152

ALERT is presently supporting 21 horses, 3 cats, and 2 alpacas. They are providing lots of food and cat litter for evacuees.

Highways
For the latest updates on local Highways visit DriveBC.

Water Conservation:
The Town of Osoyoos thanks the Osoyoos Golf Club and Desert Park for working with the Town of Osoyoos in irrigating their facilities with effluent (non-potable) water.

We also want to encourage our residents and businesses to conserve water. We need to ensure there is water available for those who need it and that we have water available for fire suppression. Some Town-owned parks and facilities are not on the Town’s domestic water system, have their own water sources, and do not affect the Town’s reservoir levels. We want to thank everyone for their continued support as we all work together to ensure that we have water available.

You can also find a link to Voyent Alert! on the RDOS website: www.rdos.bc.ca

For further information, please call the EOC at 250-490-4225. In the case of an emergency, call 9-1-1.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog