B.C. Wildfire Service providing air support in Washington wildfire | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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B.C. Wildfire Service providing air support in Washington wildfire

Ferry Okanogan Fire Protection District 14 Fire Chief J. Foster Fanning took this photo of a Canadian air tanker actioning the Customs Road wildfire in Washington State.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED: J. Foster Fanning

The B.C. Wildfire Service is assisting its American counterparts as they try to tame a wildfire threatening 50 homes just across the Canada-U.S. border.

Southeast Fire Centre fire information officer Kim Wright says the B.C. Wildfire Service has been supporting the American wildfire fighting effort on the Customs Road wildfire with air tankers.

Two Lockheed Electra tanker planes have been dropping retardant on the fire since Sept. 8.

Wright says no structures on the Canadian side of the border are currently under threat. The air support will continue as long as requested.

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Centre in Washington reports today the Customs Road fire continues to burn about one and a half kilometres west of Curlew, and 12 kilometres southeast of Midway, B.C.

The Customs Road wildfire (shown in flame symbol near the border) is burning 12 km from the B.C. village of Midway.
The Customs Road wildfire (shown in flame symbol near the border) is burning 12 km from the B.C. village of Midway.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED: Northwest Interagency Coordination Centre

The fire started around 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 6, spreading rapidly due to strong winds, and is presently only 15 per cent contained.

More than 2,288 acres have burned, along with five residences.

The fire has prompted evacuations along several roads near Curlew as it burns in grass and brush.

The Customs Road wildfire in Washington State currently burns 12 km from the B.C.  Village of Midway.
The Customs Road wildfire in Washington State currently burns 12 km from the B.C. Village of Midway.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED: J. Foster Fanning

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