Single Publication

TONASKET, Wash. August 3, 2023 – Crews have made significant progress in the last 24 hours limiting the growth of the Eagle Bluff Fire, increasing containment to 30 percent. The fire is now at 16,347 acres on the U.S. side of the border. 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. The cause remains under investigation.

Yesterday, crews continued to monitor and secure the perimeter along the eastern flank of the fire and provided support in structure protection. To the southwest, firefighters made efforts to secure existing fire line and performed additional mop up around structures.
On the northwestern edge of the fire perimeter, crews patrolled the existing dozer lines along the Canadian border that tied into the Similkameen Road to prevent fire spread moving south towards American Butte. Night crews were active in patrols along Ellemeham Mountain Road. In addition, night crews performed emergency repairs on roads around the fire perimeter to improve access for firefighter safety.

Crews working the night shift monitored the western edge checking for pockets of residual heat to prevent flareups. Today they will strengthen the line to the south from the Similkameen River to tie off the fire line on west side. Fire crews will be monitoring structures throughout the day within the fire perimeter and patrol the eastern edge where control lines have been established.
The dry air mass that has been over the fire the last several days will begin to slowly move out of the region, but the potential for fire spread remains high. Fuels are still very dry and as humidity levels drop, likelihood for fire spread is increased in the south, southwest perimeter. Winds should lessen this afternoon, but smoke has potential to remain in the region throughout the day and may impact air support.

The British Columbia Wildfire Service is overseeing the fire on the Canadian side. For more information, please visit the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System at https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/home.

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/