(UPDATE: Sept. 26 @ 11 am) - The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) reports that the Goosmus wildfire is now under control.
The surprising late-September blaze sparked just south of the United States and grew quickly in strong winds Wednesday afternoon, prompting the evacuation of over 150 properties southwest of Grand Forks.
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According to the BCWS, spot fires formed on the Canadian side of the border, but those have been extinguished and crews are mopping up in the area.
The wildfire remains active in the US, however, and Washington officials report it to be out of control at 1,500 acres in size.
An evacuation alert remains in effect for hundreds of properties in the Grand Forks area and the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has promised further updates this afternoon.
(UPDATE: Sept. 26 @ 6:05 am) - The Goosmus wildfire remains out of control this morning.
The BC Wildfire Service now suspects the fire was caused by humans.
Its latest update put the fire at 400 hectares.
It's expected to be mainly sunny in the Grand Forks area today, with a high of 22°C and gusts of up 40 km/h.
Environment Canada has warned residents and visitors to expect smoky conditions.
(UPDATE: Sept. 25 @ 8:20 pm) - The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary has downgraded the evacuation order for the Goosmus wildfire.
All 156 residences affected by the order are now on evacuation alert.
Another 567 residences remain on alert as well.
The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is currently estimated at 400 hectares in size.
(UPDATE: Sept. 25 @ 7:25 pm) - The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary says Hwy 3 is now open, but motorists are asked not to stop along the road.
An evacuation order affecting 156 residences remains in effect west of Hwy 41 and south of Hwy 3.
Another 567 are on evacuation alert reaching the western edge of Grand Forks at Spraggett Road.
(Original story: Sept. 25 @ 6 pm) - Wildfire season is not over.
A fire believed to have been caused by storm activity this afternoon and fuelled by strong winds is threatening to cross the Canada-US border near Grand Forks.
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) says tactical evacuations are underway southwest of the city.
“Evacuate immediately if you are in the following area: west of Hwy 41 and south of Hwy 3. Any properties west of Highway 3 from Sleepy Hollow Rd to Phoenix Rd,” reads an emergency alert from the Province. "The Goosmus wildfire poses a threat to human life."
The BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) says crews and structure protection personnel have been deployed to the Grand Forks area.
According to the BCWS, the Goosmus wildfire is estimated to be 200 hectares in size.
“This fire is highly visible to the City of Grand Forks and surrounding areas,” a BCWS social media post noted.
“Washington State has crews, heavy equipment and air support en route. We are currently mobilizing unit crews to the area to support the regional fire departments.”
The most-recent update from the RDKB shortly before 6 pm said the Hwy 3 has been shut down, but also shared some positive news.
“As of this time, no structures have been lost due to Goosmus fire,” the update read. “The wind has calmed down and some rain has fallen.”
Anyone who has been evacuated due to the fire is being told to go to the Red Cross reception centre at the Grand Forks Arena, which will be open after 7 pm tonight.
