Winds could whip up fire activity in BC, Washington state: wildfire service
Posted August 27, 2015 2:39 pm.
Last Updated August 27, 2015 5:12 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
GRAND FORKS (NEWS 1130) A change in the weather could bring danger to people just south of Grand Forks where a hug wildfire is threatening to cross the border. The wind is picking up into the evening and is expected to cause problems for the next couple of days.
There are evacuation alerts in place for homes near Grand Forks and Christina Lake. Sixteen-hundred people have been told to be ready to get out at a moment’s notice if the fire does advance. So far, that hasn’t been necessary.
The weather is the problem. The wind is expected to pick up this evening and continue to blow for the next couple of days. Fire Information Officer Fanny Bernard says that could carry burning embers across the border and start more fires. “This area has seen very little rain since the spring. Basically, it’s been a sustained drought. The fire danger is high and the fuel type also north of the border lends itself well to rapidly growing fire.
BC is taking a proactive approach and Bernard says our crews are south of the line helping. “Creating guard, establishing hose lane and burning off fuel on the east side of the fire. The burning out of fuel prevents uncontained growth towards the containment line and minimizes the risk for the fire to breach established fire guard.”
This fire covers 19,570 hectares and is 17 per cent contained.
