B.C. communities on evacuation alert over concerns about Washington state blaze

GRAND FORKS, B.C. – Evacuation alerts have been issued in southeastern British Columbia over fears that so-called ember showers from a Washington state wildfire could ignite flames north of the border.

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary says residents south of the Kettle River and the city of Grand Forks may have to leave at a moment’s notice.

The Stickpin fire is now more than 195 square kilometres, only 17 per cent contained and burning about five kilometres south of B.C.

Strong winds are expected in the coming days, and the regional district says they could blow embers into the province.

Emergency operations centre spokesman Deep Sidhu says officials are going door to door to notify residents about the alert, and public meetings will be held Wednesday night in Grand Forks and Christina Lake.

The BC Wildfire Service says 48 of its firefighters, four bulldozers and three officers are in Washington state to help battle the northeast side of the Stickpin blaze.