Evacuations Not Contemplated

The winds for the Tatoosh Fire are expected to start blowing south tonight, clearing the smoke and allowing fire crews to evaluate the fire's progress Monday. Fire officials hope that the break should allow crews, that are currently being assembled in Princeton, to attack the fire with burn-off operations. The winds are expected to continue blowing the smoke south for the next few days.

The Princeton Emergency Operations Centre has good news for the 35 - 40 people who permanently live in the 180 cabins in the East Gate area - evacuations aren't currently contemplated.

The Tatoosh Fire, which crossed the border last night, is still sized at 6,500 hectares - 1,000 hectares of which is in Canada. There is 0% containment. The size of the fire will likely be upgraded after infrared U.S. Forest Service photography tonight.

Fire Information officer Jeff Moore says, "Given the fuel loading of the slopes in that valley, we expect growth on the fire today." Moore says that the fire is 2 km from the southeast corner of Manning Park.

As for the larger Tripod Fire, is to 61,200 hectares is size about 4 km south of the border. It grew yesterday and crews are currently doing aerial reconnaissance. Smoke again has hampered fire operations today and crews hope to have more information on the fire after reconnaissance tonight.

Canadian officials are currently working with US officials on a Memorandum of Understanding to have Canadian fire crews fly in and action the fire.

When asked about U.S. efforts to control these fires, Canadian officials note that U.S. fire officials have been very cooperative with Canadian officials and would not second guess their fire management decisions.