Update 10:30 a.m. Aug. 19, 2020
The wildfire 15 kilometres south of the U.S. border has grown to nearly 2,500 hectares, or 6,000 acres, according to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, as a state of emergency was declared due to multiple fires breaking out across the State of Washington.
#PalmerFire is now burning 6,000 acres just 2.5 miles NE of #Loomis. Multiple resources on scene. Here's a camera view: https://t.co/PRiFgYf0mi Further updates as they come in.
— Washington State DNR Wildfire (@waDNR_fire) August 19, 2020
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee issued a statewide emergency proclamation Wednesday due to multiple wildfires in Central and Eastern Washington, as well as the Olympic Peninsula.
“Wildfires are threatening the safety and livelihoods of Washingtonians all across the state,” Inslee said. “And the COVID-19 pandemic has put additional strain on our resources, as some of our usual support is further limited due to international movement restrictions.”
Firefighting resources throughout the state have been spread thin due to commitments to pre-existing and projected fire activity, according to the proclamation from the governor. The increase in fires are due to the extremely high temperatures and dry weather, as well as the increase of visitors to Washington wilderness areas.
Helicopter crews from the @WANationalGuard are gearing up and loading equipment in preparation of supporting @waDNR_fire fight #WaWILDFIRE in Eastern Washington. #WeAreWashington pic.twitter.com/sviO4AGy6P
— WA National Guard (@WANationalGuard) August 19, 2020
The proclamation authorizes the activation of the Washington National Guard statewide in response to a request from the state Department of Natural Resources to help protect homes, public facilities and utilities, businesses, agriculture and natural resources.
Original story 9 a.m. Aug. 19, 2020
A 40-hectare wildfire is burning roughly 15 km south of the Canada/U.S. border and southwest of Oroville with smoke visible from Osoyoos.
The Town of Osoyoos’ emergency operations centre personnel met on Aug. 18 around 4 p.m. regarding the Palmer Lake wildfire and provided a size and location.
The fire is out of the jurisdiction of B.C.’s provincial firefighters, but they are available to assist should the request come in.
“The BC Wildfire Service is not currently taking any action as it is outside our jurisdiction, but will assist if requested to do so,” stated BC Wildfire in response to the Times-Chronicle.
The wildfire was first reported at around 3 p.m. on Wednesday halfway up Washburn Lake Road towards Washburn Lake with the Washington Department of Natural Resources responding.
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources mobilized, bringing in numerous air and ground resources and an evacuation was ordered around 4 p.m. for those south and west of Wannacut Lake, according to Okanogan County Emergency Management.
Find a map of the fire area and evacuation zones here.
