A raging wildfire near the border of Washington state and Canada has escalated to a critical level, leaving officials struggling to contain the blaze. The Eagle Bluff Fire, which ignited on Saturday evening southwest of Oroville in Okanogan County, has already devoured a staggering 10,000 acres of land and is rapidly pushing its way into Canada.
As of Sunday afternoon, the fire remains at 0% containment, prompting urgent evacuation orders for residents in the affected areas. Meanwhile, the British Columbia Wildfire Service is also grappling with evacuation efforts on their side of the border.
In a swift and alarming escalation, the Eagle Bluff Fire has grown exponentially overnight, putting the lives and properties of residents at serious risk. Authorities from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) have been tirelessly battling the flames, but the fire’s intensity and unpredictable behavior have hindered containment efforts.
The tweet below from
#EagleBluffFire 2,500 acres just SW of Oroville in Okanogan County, fire pushing north to Canada. 15 aircraft on fire or inbound, Type 3 team ordered. Level 1&2 evac advisories, for more see incident page on https://t.co/W8IShjG5J2
First image from @Pano_AI #WaWILDFIRE pic.twitter.com/0vs1v16VpU— Washington State DNR Wildfire (@waDNR_fire) July 30, 2023
In response to the escalating situation, Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations have been issued for people residing on both sides of State Route 97 from Shirley Road near the border to Oroville. As residents were urged to evacuate south towards Oroville, the urgency of the situation gripped the region.
Gina Hudziak, who was in the area during the fire’s outbreak, described the situation as “scary” and recounted the tense moments when evacuation orders were imminent.
A Red Cross evacuation shelter has been set up at Oroville High School to provide refuge to those displaced by the wildfire.
Our volunteers have been hard at work opening and running a shelter for residents impacted by the #EagleBluffFire in Okanogan County.
We had 27 people stay in our shelter overnight, and we’ll continue to keep this shelter open for as long as the community needs. Stay safe! pic.twitter.com/k5zAWwzPNb
— American Red Cross Northwest Region (@RedCrossNW) July 30, 2023
Simultaneously, the inferno’s relentless progression has also prompted evacuation orders in parts of British Columbia, as the fire encroaches on Canadian territory.
The BC Wildfire Service is actively collaborating with Washington authorities to combat the flames and has been using social media platforms to disseminate crucial information regarding evacuation protocols and updates on the fire’s status.
The wildfire’s cause remains a mystery, and investigators are working diligently to determine the origin and circumstances surrounding the devastating incident. As the flames continue to spread, residents in the affected areas are advised to remain vigilant and stay informed about the fire’s progress through official channels.
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