The B.C. Wildfire Service’s Southeast Fire Centre is continuing to monitor a wildfire burning just south of the Canada-U.S. border near Creston.
The Upper Smith Fire, located in northern Idaho about 10 kilometres south of the border and roughly 32 kilometres northwest of Bonners Ferry, has grown to 636 hectares and is 15 per cent contained.
The U.S. Forest Service says the lightning-caused wildfire was discovered July 8 and has prompted evacuation orders for the Westside and Smith Creek areas of Boundary County after fire activity increased this week.
Despite the fire’s proximity to the border, the B.C. Wildfire Service has not deployed any resources to assist with suppression efforts, and no evacuation alerts are anticipated in British Columbia.
“Trigger points have been identified for contingency planning, and if reached, BCWS would collaborate with agency partners in assigning response resources,” fire information officer Alex Robinson said in an emailed statement.
Robinson said the Southeast Fire Centre remains in regular contact with agencies south of the border as an incident co-operator through ongoing coordination calls and other communications.
“We continue to closely monitor the situation and will communicate if anything changes.”
According to the U.S. Forest Service, 406 personnel are assigned to the fire, which is burning in steep, heavily forested terrain.
Firefighters continue strengthening containment lines and protecting structures. The fire is expected to continue backing toward Smith Creek while spreading slowly to the east.
Boundary County officials issued evacuation orders Tuesday for the Westside and Smith Creek areas, telling residents to leave immediately.
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