Evac alert remains in place

UPDATE: 4:35 p.m.

The evacuation alert remains in place for homes west of Grand Forks due to a large wildfire burning nearby, south of the border.

The Goosmus wildfire has now grown to nearly 700 hectares in size in northern Washington, burning about a kilometre away from the border. It was sparked Wednesday afternoon and quickly spread north, driven by strong winds.

While dozens of homes near Grand Forks were evacuated Wednesday afternoon, those residents were allowed to return home later that night. But the evacuation alert will remain in place through the evening.

The Regional District of the Kootenay Boundary says they'll provide another update Friday morning at 10 a.m.

While 37 BC Wildfire Service firefighters are assigned to the fire, 250 firefighters are working on it south of the border.

UPDATE: 12 p.m.

The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy and Interior Health Authority have issued an Air Quality Warning in the Grand Forks area while fire crews continue to fight a wildfire across the border that may see an uptick in activity this afternoon.

"Fine particulate matter" in the air is expected to persist until weather conditions change, and those with health issues or who are pregnant are advised to be cautious, stay indoors and consult a health care provider for any instances of lengthy eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing.

Meanwhile, the cross-border firefight continues. BC Wildfire Service information officer Meghan Graceffo confirmed late Thursday morning that the blaze is still estimated at one kilometre away from the Canadian border south of Grand Forks, and that they are hopeful that will remain the case.

"We are expecting approximately 10 degrees cooler than it was yesterday, but we're also expecting the relative humidity to below 20 per cent this afternoon. We've got winds developing this afternoon as well that could potentially move the fire, but it's not going to be as bad as yesterday," Graceffo said.

Area residents may see increased smoke if the winds pick up as expected.

The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary still has more than 150 residents on evacuation alert.

An update from the RDKB is expected by 3 p.m.

ORIGINAL: 10 a.m.

Many properties remain on evacuation alert in the Grand Forks area Thursday due to a wildfire just across the U.S. border that officials say may see increased activity as the day goes on.

The Goosmus wildfire was sparked Wednesday afternoon near Danville, WA, prompting an evacuation order for 156 residences near Grand Forks.

That was downgraded to an alert Wednesday evening, which remains in place.

BC Wildfire Service reports that while the main body of the fire has not crossed into Canada, crews were combatting a spot fire nearby on the Canadian side and the main fire still may be a threat at the border.

"Overnight weather conditions supported the ongoing work of crews to decrease fire behaviour and progression. About 2 ml of precipitation was recorded overnight," BCWS said in an update Thursday morning.

"As daytime heating and winds increase this afternoon, fire behaviour is expected to increase."

The fire is currently within one kilometre of the border.

The spot fire, which was in the Sleepy Hollow area west of Grand Forks, is now categorized as being held.

An interagency partnership between BCWS and U.S. crews is dealing with suppression efforts at the main fire, including aviation crews. The fire is estimated at be more than 600 hectares in size south of the border.

As of Thursday morning, the BC Wildfire Service is responding with 37 firefighters and four helicopters.

Highway 3 remains open, but a limited-visibility warning has been issued by the City of Grand Forks.

Information for those under evacuation alert from the Regional District of Kootenay-Boundary can be found online here.