Some evacuation orders lifted for Osoyoos area as cross-border wildfire continues to burn

There are fewer properties under evacuation order in and around Osoyoos on Monday as a wildfire straddling the Canada-US border continues to burn.

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen has shared that there are 192 properties in the area under evacuation order for the Eagle Bluff wildfire — down from the 700 under the order on Sunday.

Another 2,635 properties remain on evacuation alert, with officials saying those affected should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has lifted evacuation orders for hundreds of properties after progress was made on a wildfire burning near Osoyoos. (Source: RDOS)

According to the BC Wildfire Service, the Canadian portion of the cross-border blaze is measured at 1,450 hectares as of Monday afternoon.

Wildfire information officer Shaelee Stearns says most of the fire’s growth on Sunday was on the western flank, further away from Osoyoos.

“We continue to focus our resources along the eastern flank, which is the side of the fire that’s closer in proximity to the city. This is where we’ll have the majority of our heavy equipment and personnel continue to work,” she told reporters.

She says there is 24-hour attention being given to the blaze, with 61 personnel helping battle it. There are also five helicopters that have been assigned to the fire.

Read More: Osoyoos community comes together as wildfire forces evacuations

As for what can be expected Monday, Stearns says while the weather remains dry, a stable southwest wind is helping prevent smoke from cascading over Osoyoos.

“Due to the topography and terrain that we’re seeing, this wind can be different on certain parts of the fire so it can reflect differently throughout the day,” she noted, adding the eastern portion of the fire is “burning back on itself” due to the wind.

The Eagle Bluff fire was first discovered on Saturday afternoon after spreading over the border from the United States. It is still classified as “out of control,” and a cause has not yet been determined.

‘Scary’, ‘crazy’: Osoyoos residents recount dramatic Sunday for firefighters

While things appeared to have stabilized on Monday, residents in Osoyoos have told CityNews about their experiences when the wildfire was bearing down on the community over the weekend.

Leanne Graber says while her property was not part of any evacuation alerts or orders, Sunday was still a day to remember.

“Yesterday (Sunday) was crazy with the eight massive planes that came in and the water bombers and all that, so that was quite a show. It looks like they were getting a lot of things handled and it was really really smokey. Today (Monday) is pretty clear. I mean, you can still smell it in the air,” she said on Monday.

Although there is less smoke, Graber says it is still rather hazy in the town.

“You can feel it in your chest and I can’t see across down towards Penticton. But the skies are a little bit clearer. I just can’t believe there weren’t any residences burned,” she said.

Jean Paul-Menard, another Osoyoos resident, says things are looking better Monday after Sunday’s firefighting efforts.

“When it started it was scary because the flames were coming over the mountain,” he said.

“The smoke is starting to pick up again because of the wind, but it’s blowing into the already burnt area instead of new growth.”

He says he grew frustrated on Sunday when he saw boaters on Osoyoos Lake while water bombers were trying to do their jobs.

“It makes you mad. They should actually make you sign something when you get your boat licence, something that says you’re going to get a bad fine if you’re on the water,” he said.