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TONASKET, Wash. August 7, 2023 –This will be the last update from Northwest Incident Management Team 7 for the Eagle Bluff Fire. A Type 4 incident management team will assume command of the fire at 6 a.m. on Tuesday August 8, 2023. For further inquiries related to the fire, please contact the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Acreage remains at 16,428 and containment is 80 percent. Crews continue to mop up, secure perimeters, and complete repairs around fire lines. The fire is west of Oroville, Wash. on lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Bureau of Land Management—Spokane District.

Yesterday, night shift crew responded to a large burning tree, north of Oroville, determining no significant threat. On the eastern perimeter thermal imaging and repairs were completed. Personnel on the southern perimeter utilized an excavator for repairs, while continuing to mop up.  To the northwest most of the repair work has been completed and firefighters remained diligent in strengthening the perimeter.

Today, on the western portion, north of Ellemeham Mountain Road, firefighters are focused on strengthening established fire lines.  Further to the north, above the Similkameen River, the goal will be to wrap up repair work and patrol the line entirely.  Patrols will be conducted throughout the day to the east, working their way to the south to expand resources for mop up, repairs, and thermal imaging for hot spots. All personnel on the ground will be removing any non-essential equipment.

WEATHER:  A flood watch remains in effect until Monday evening for Okanogan and the surrounding counties.

A weak front is expected to move into the region from the west bringing bands of showers and thunderstorms. Chances of precipitation diminish in the afternoon and give way to partly cloudy skies.  

SMOKE: Air quality forecast for today is moderate. Precipitation arriving in the area should help lesson active smoldering of any remaining pockets for fuel within the fire perimeter, lessening smoke production.

SAFETY:   Roads may be slippery from overnight precipitation, use caution when driving in and around the fire area. Soils in a burn scar can be as water repellant as pavement, increasing the chances for debris flow and rolling materials, even with little precipitation. Be alert for changing conditions.

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/