Single Publication

Update for Swawilla and Bridge Creek Fires

EVACUATIONS:  Please see the map for updated evacuation areas. An evacuation center located at the Republic Fairgrounds is still accepting evacuees. For questions on evacuations contact the Colville Confederated Tribes EOC– (509) 634-7350.

Closed/Open Roads (see Quick Facts charts for specifics):

Bridge Creek Road is open.

Peter Dan Road/Manilla Creek Road and Buffalo Lake Road are open to local resident traffic only. 

Keno Mine Road is closed

SanPoil Road is closed

30 Mile Road is closed

All roads within the fire area are closed, except those that are listed as open to local resident traffic only.A containment line of dozer and hand lines has been completed around the southern perimeter of the fire from the Peter Dan Road around to the Manilla Creek Road. This area is in patrol status.  As Firefighters continue to complete work along both sides of the fire they are being reassigned to more active fire areas.  In the area where the fire is most active, a dozer line has been constructed along the west side of Keller and Hwy 21 to enhance structure protection for homes and businesses along the roadway and in and around the town of Keller. Primary containment lines are mainly along Jack Creek Rd with secondary dozer lines in the Empire Creek Rd corridor as a contingency plan. 

Swawilla Fire

Yesterday, fire crews continued structure protection in and around Keller while primary and secondary control lines were prepped and refined. Primary containment lines are built along Jack Creek Road with a secondary dozer line in the Empire Creek Road corridor. A dozer line has been constructed from the west side of Keller to State Highway 21 which will support a controlled burn operation of approximately 3,000 acres to tie off the head of the fire around Keller. These operations will start today and continue into tonight and Wednesday night. Control lines along edges of the burnout will be ignited with drip torches, while an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS/drone) will be used for safe interior ignition. 

   Fire managers are taking advantage of better weather, and areas that have had previous fuel treatments, to conduct this operation before temperatures increase and good weather conditions decline mid-week. Structure protection remains a high priority around the Keller area.  

A containment line of dozer and hand lines has been completed around the southern perimeter of the fire from the Peter Dan Road around to the Manilla Creek Road. Crews are holding this line with mop up and patrol.  

Bridge Creek Wildfire

The 30 Mile Road remains closed where firefighters are conducting burning operations along the northern border of the fire. A UAS will be used this morning to pinpoint hot areas close to the fireline. 

Fire Weather 

The forecast for Tuesday is expected to bring cooler temperatures, substantial cloud-cover, increased humidity, possibly some light showers and a slight risk of a thunderstorm with a chance of 20 mph gusts. Fire activity will pick up around 6 pm today. Wednesday, and into the weekend, a warming trend with much warmer and drier conditions will develop. This shift in conditions may bring more active fire behavior again, especially on the north edge of the fire.  

 Safety Message

Smoke will increase in the area over the next few days due to the controlled  burning operation, impacting driving visibility. Please slow down and be extra cautious. Visit Airnow.gov for air quality in your area and take precautions for protecting your health. 

Please slow down when driving all roads leading to, or from, the fires. There is a considerable amount of firefighting traffic and equipment moving slowly along roads. 

Boaters should avoid emergency firefighting aircrafts using any waterbody to acquire water to suppress fires. 

Additional Information and Maps at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/, https://www.facebook.com/CCTENV, https://www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts