An evacuation order for more than 700 properties has been issued for the Town of Osoyoos after an out-of-control wildfire crossed into British Columbia from Washington.
The Eagle Bluff wildfire is about four kilometres from the town in the southern Okanagan Valley adjacent to the U.S. border and has so far scorched 8.85 square kilometres of land.
In addition to the evacuation order, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says an alert is in effect for more than 2,000 properties to be ready to leave on short notice, covering the entire west side of Osoyoos as well as a stretch of land on the west side of Osoyoos Lake extending northwards along Highway 97.
A local state of emergency has also been declared in the area until Aug. 5 unless the situation changes.
The BC Wildfire Service says the blaze started in the United States before crossing into Canada Saturday evening.
It says initial attack crews, structure protection personnel, heavy equipment and a helicopter are fighting the wildfire and were on site overnight and this morning.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 30, 2023.
The Canadian Press
