WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Dry and warm conditions over the weekend amplified a pair of wildfires burning in east Whatcom County.
The Border 2 Fire near Ross Lake has spread to just over 10,500 acres as of Monday morning, Aug. 10.
The fire is still entirely uncontained while it burns in steep, remote terrain on the northeast side of the lake and extending into Canada.
Crews are working to protect at-risk structures around Hozomeen as the fire continues to slowly move south along Little Jackass Mountain.
Just west of Ross Lake, the Luna Fire has spread to just over 3,500 acres and also remains entirely uncontained as of Sunday, burning 10 miles north of Newhalem.
Firefighters are wrapping up work to protect the Beaver Pass area before moving on to the Big Beaver Camp area.
Both fires were sparked by lightning, the Luna Fire on June 24 and the Border 2 Fire on July 16.
BC wildfires lead to state of emergency declaration
Wildfires continue their paths of destruction across drought-stricken British Columbia.
Premier David Eby issued a state of emergency for the province Saturday, Aug. 8 after the growing Bald Range Fire forced over 20,000 people to evacuate near Okanogan Lake.
It’s one of over 100 other wildfires actively burning in B.C.
Closer to Whatcom County, the Brunswick Complex fires have burned over 155,000 acres near the town of Boston Bar.
Smoke from those wildfires have made their way into Whatcom County since igniting in early July, degrading air quality for residents in areas like Sumas and Maple Falls.
