Single Publication

9/6 Thor Fire update
Thor Fire
Incident Commander: Shane Robson
Quick Facts
Thor Fire
Approximate Size 800 acres
Containment 0%
Total Personnel 50
Fire Danger Very High
Structures Lost
Primary – 0
Secondary - 0
For Immediate Release - September 6th, 2022

Thor Fire: The fire is burning approximately 5 miles east of Sullivan Lake in heavy timber and steep terrain. The fire was caused by lightning and discovered on August 13, 2022.

A full-suppression strategy is being used with firefighter and public safety the highest priority. The steep and rugged terrain in the immediate fire area poses a risk to fire crews on the ground. Crews have focused over the last several days on primary and contingent containment lines. Heavy equipment has been able to clear fuels and widen the lines. These containment lines, roads, and natural barriers provide a safer location and access with a higher probability of success in limiting fire spread.

The fire is burning in an area where low to moderate fire activity does not pose a threat to any “values at risk”, including wildlife habitats, watershed areas, natural resources, recreation infrastructure, or private land. Fire is a natural part of the life cycle of the forest and the fire behavior exhibited at this time will provide some benefit to the forest landscape as it consumes dead and down timber and overgrown understory.

Slate Fire Update - The Slate fire is approximately 100 acres in size. There is minimal threat to recreation resources, infrastructure, or values at risk. It is currently being scouted to determine any additional strategy and tactics. This fire is in a rural area and access is difficult.

Today: The Northeast Interagency Incident Management Team Type 3 Team 2 is in place and will continue the work that has been done. There are 2 smaller fires in the area that the team will manage and take action as needed. These fires have very limited access and are planned for aerial reconnaissance. The focus of the team over the next few days is to patrol containment lines on Thor that were put in place over the last 3 weeks. This previous work consisted of shoring up roads and using heavy equipment to clear brush and trees to create a better containment line. Air resources are available to assist with fire control if needed. Lookouts remain in several areas to monitor and relay fire behavior.

Smoke from the Thor Fire has been visible from Ione, Metaline, Metaline Falls, Priest Lake, Sullivan Lake and many other surrounding locations.

Weather: A Red Flag warning will be in place today with temps. 83-92 in the valleys and 73-83 in the mountains. Low humidity levels of 14-22% and winds 3-6 mph with wind gusts in the afternoon. We will see more of the same tomorrow. Temperatures are unseasonably high with some relief forecasted for the end of the week.

Closures: There is a closure in place on the Colville National Forest. The closure encompasses:
Sullivan Creek/Pass Creek- This closure begins at the junction of the NFS Road 2200500/2200250 and the NFS Road 2200000 to the NFS road 302 (IPNF) and ends at the junction NFS Road 302 and the NFS Road 1013 (IPNF). Salmo- The entire NFS Road 2220000 will be closed beginning at the junction of NFS Road 2200000. Highline- This closure begins at the junction of NFS Road 2212243/2212240 and Sullivan Lake Road (County) to the junction of NFS Road 2212000 and NFS Road 2220000. Cascade Cutoff- This closure begins at the junction of NFS Road 2212000 and NFS Road 2200250 to the NFS Road 2200000. Johns Creek- This closure begins at the junction of NFS Road 2200500 and ends at the NFS Trail #540 (Hall Mountain Trailhead) No State DNR or Private lands are closed under this order. Please visit
https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices for complete closure information.

Fire information and the Incident Command Post is located at the Sullivan Ranger Station. Fire information contact is Don Malone at (509) 720-7418 or you can also follow us on Facebook @NEWIMT3 Cell coverage is limited and messages will be checked often.