Friends and family identified the dead man as Kevin E. Peterson Jr., 21, and said he was a former high school football player and the proud father of an infant daughter.

The Asian giant hornet nest was found in Blaine, Wash., just a few kilometres south of the British Columbia border. 

Oregon officials haven't released an exact death count for the wildfires but at least four fatalities have been reported in the state.

At least three people were killed in Oregon fires and a small child died in blazes in Washington state, while hundreds of homes have been lost.

The Cold Springs fire started Sunday night, and has grown to 56,000 hectares, while the Pearl Hill fire is listed at 70,000 hectares.

Both hornets were found in Birch Bay, just south of Blaine and a 20-minute drive from the Peace Arch border crossing.

As of Thursday night, 30 structures had been lost to the wildfire in Washington state, according to officials.

U.S. officials say the barrier is meant to address "bi-national safety concerns related to a vulnerable section of the border."

The fire is located seven miles (11 km) southwest of Oroville, Wash., and is zero per cent contained.

There have been five previous confirmed sightings of Asian giant hornets in the state.