Single Publication

TONASKET, Wash. August 1, 2023 – First reported on Saturday, July 29, the Eagle Bluff Fire has grown to 16,110 acres. The fire is burning just west of Oroville, Wash. on lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Spokane District – Bureau of Land Management and has crossed into Canada. The cause remains under investigation by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Yesterday, there was no fire growth along the eastern perimeter and minimal growth to the west. Crews continued to monitor and secure the perimeter along the eastern flank of the fire. While crews are still assessing a small portion of indirect line built just south of the Similkameen River along the western flank, line has been established from Ellemham Mountain Road north to the Similkameen River.

Firefighters successfully burned along the Canadian border to prevent the fire from spreading south towards the Loomis Oroville Road. Dozer line was constructed and tied into the Similkameen Road with additional mop up around that line. Water tenders worked through the night using side sprayers to mop up in the pockets that firefighters successfully burned earlier in the day.  

Today, firefighters will continue to patrol, secure, and mop up around structures and monitor the entire eastern  and southwestern perimeter. Crews will work to secure the western flank and monitor the anchor point we are trying to establish along the Similkameen River. Firefighters along the northwestern flank will patrol the line from DP 49 to the fire’s edge to prevent any further fire spread into the border. Resources will scout west for opportunities so our Canadian counterparts can tie into Highway 3.

Very dry air and lower humidity will persist in the region through the day. North winds developing in the afternoon with a shift later this evening to the south with stronger gusts through the valley along the eastern flank are forecast. Once the shallow inversions lift, temperatures will rise and relative humidity will drop rapidly. All fuels, live and dead, are sufficiently dry to contribute to fire behavior and perimeter growth today. 

Today remains a high fire danger day.  With the forecast and current fuel conditions, if slope and wind align, today has the potential to be an active fire day especially on the western flank of the fire. Smoke in the valley is likely to impact any aviation use early in the day but should clear out by noon.

Evacuation levels have decreased in Okanogan County, but some road closures remain in place. For up-to-date information on wildfire closures and evacuations, follow Okanogan County Emergency Management at https://okanogancounty.org/government/emergency_management/