Wildfire smoke from just across the U.S. border is drifting into southern B.C., prompting a Level 1 activation of the Regional District of Kootenay Boundaryâs Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fire â named the Hope (USA) Wildfire â is burning approximately 19 kilometres south of the U.S./Canada border.
The blaze is located in Stevens County, Washington, south of Highway 3 between Christina Lake and Trail.
The fire remains active with zero per cent containment and is currently estimated at 2,161 acres in size.
Smoke is visible in Lower Columbia communities, including Trail, and as far as Nelson, Boundary country, and even Cranbrook, where brown smoke has been reported overhead.
"Due to high volume of calls concerning the smoke and brown-coloured smoke in the skies over Cranbrook, we thought we would update you," Cranbrook Professional Fire Fighters Local 1253 posted to Facebook Tuesday night.
"We are aware of a wildfire in Washington State ... between Christina Lake and Trail ... There is no risk to Cranbrook."
According to the BC Wildfire Service, air tankers are being deployed to assist with the response.
U.S. air support is also on-site.
The U.S. Department of Natural Resources is leading suppression efforts.
The regional district says there is currently no threat to residents.
âWe are activating out of an abundance of caution and to continue to monitor the fire,â said Mark Stephens, regional EOC director.
Stephens also urged residents to be proactive: âWith wildfire season here, we encourage residents to plan for emergencies, such as create 'Grab and Go' kits.â
The district encourages everyone in the region to sign up for its free emergency alert system and take steps now to prepare for potential evacuation or emergency situations.
More information is available at https://emergency.rdkb.com.
This is a developing situation.
The Trail Times will share further updates as they become available.
