Single Publication

Wednesday July 31, 2024 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.

Swawilla Fire

Yesterday strategic firing operations were used along Hwy 21 south of Keller, and along constructed dozer lines west and north of Keller, connecting to Jack Creek road. Night shift operations used UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System, drones) to initiate this firing operation on the north side of Mt. Tolman, to burn out pockets of vegetation, strengthening containment. Fire engines patrolled and mopped up hot spots along Hwy 21 and will continue that work into today’s shift. 

Firefighters are using the next few operational periods to extinguish hot areas along constructed dozer lines, handlines and roadways, to insure no issues will persist during the expected increase in temperatures and drier conditions later in the week. A forestry mulcher, known as a masticator, will be used today to prep secondary containment lines, prior to burning, along the Brush Creek roadway. 

Bridge Creek Wildfire

A few areas of heat continue to linger in the northeast portion of the Bridge Creek Fire, and firefighters are concentrating efforts to cool down and extinguish those portions of the fire. Managers were pleased with operations yesterday and will continue reassigning resources from Bridge Creek to Swawilla to help with suppression efforts.  

Fire Weather 

Fire managers will use the current favorable weather to initiate strategic burning operations.   After the next few days a hot air mass will move into the area, bringing drier and, slightly windier conditions. Possible thunderstorms will move into the area Friday night into Saturday night.  

Safety Message

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

Boaters should avoid emergency firefighting aircraft using any waterbodies 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