Washington wildfire crosses border into B.C. near Hozomeen
Border 2 Fire has burned 121 hectares combined with Border 1, and officials expect elevated fire activity over the next few days as hot, dry conditions persist.
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A wildfire burning in Washington State has crossed the border into British Columbia, according to the North Cascades National Park Service Complex.
Border 2 Fire, located 2.4 kilometres east of Hozomeen just south of the Canada-U.S. border, crossed into B.C. and into Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands on Wednesday, July 22. The fire is believed to have been caused by lightning. Border 1 and Border 2 wildfires have combined and now total 121 hectares.
The fire is burning in remote, steep, and densely forested and rocky terrain. Fire activity is expected to be elevated with upcoming hot, dry and windy conditions over the next few days until cooler weather returns to the area, the park service said.
A Type-3 Incident Commander is expected to arrive Wednesday to take command Thursday. An additional nine-person crew is also expected Wednesday to use a boat to head into the remote Hozomeen area on Ross Lake. The north end of Ross Lake is now closed for recreational use, and vessel and foot traffic across the Canada-U.S. border is prohibited. Visitors at the lake are being asked to keep away from aerial resources using the lake as a water source for firefighting efforts.
On Tuesday, numerous air resources — an air attack aircraft, a scooper, a Type-2 helicopter and a Type-3 helicopter — helped firefighters in response.
The facts
Where is Border 2 Fire located?
Border 2 Fire is located 2.4 kilometres east of Hozomeen just south of the Canada-U.S. border.
How large is the combined fire area?
Border 1 and Border 2 wildfires have combined to total 121 hectares.
What caused Border 2 Fire?
Border 2 Fire is believed to have been caused by lightning.
What restrictions are in place at Ross Lake?
The north end of Ross Lake is closed for recreational use, and vessel and foot traffic across the Canada-U.S. border is prohibited.
