Osoyoos breathing easier with Palmer wildfire in mop-up stage

Activity on a large wildfire encroaching on the U.S.-Canada border near Osoyoos lessened considerably yesterday.

The Palmer fire is not expected to move any closer toward the international border.

The Washington State Bureau of Land Management reports the Palmer wildfire, burning 11 kilometres southwest of Oroville in Washington State, is now in mop-up stage as crews work to enlarge safety circles around structures still within the burn area.

The Town of Osoyoos was anxiously watching the blaze late last week.

Some resources are being released from the fire to other wildfires in the state as the fire’s aggressive behaviour has slowed.

The wildfire is now listed by the bureau at 57 per cent contained, at 8,061 hectares burned. An air quality advisory for smoke in the South Okanagan — also fuelled by Penticton's Christie Mountain wildfire which is now being held — was also lifted this week. 

Evacuation orders and alerts remain in place.

Nearly 600 personnel are working the fire, under a strategy to hold and secure the existing burn, as no significant growth or movement is expected.

Several road closures remain in place around the fire.

Cause of the fire is unknown, and the number of structures lost is still being assessed.

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