Wildfire burning in U.S. south of Osoyoos continues to grow

The Palmer wildfire in Washington State just south of the Canadian border continued to grow on the weekend.

Washington Bureau of Land Management fire information officer Doug Epperson says the blaze has burned 8,216 hectares since it was first discovered Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The fire, which is 27 per cent contained and is being worked by 517 personnel, is being monitored by officials with the Town of Osoyoos.

It has moved to within 10 kilometres of the Canada-U.S. border, burning about 11 kilometres southwest of Oroville, Washington.

It was moving north over the weekend, but today is exhibiting little movement in any direction. Anticipated winds in the next 24 hours are expected to send it south, away from the border.

Epperson says some air support for the fire has been diverted to mid-central Washington today, Aug. 24, as dry lightning sparked potential wildfires there.

He says smoke drifting into Canada yesterday was made worse by a deliberate burn-off performed by wildfire personnel.

“Today should be much better,” he says.

The fire has resulted in road closures and evacuations in the area. Epperson says those evacuation levels will be reassessed on Wednesday.

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