9/7 Thor Fire Update
Incident Commander: Shane Robson
Thor Fire
Quick Facts
Approximate Size
Thor Fire 1024 acres
Slate Fire 286 acres
Containment 0%
Total Personnel 50
Fire Danger Very High
Structures Lost
Primary – 0
Secondary - 0
For Immediate Release - September 7th, 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.

The steep, rugged, and dangerous terrain led managers to take mainly a confine/contain strategy with firefighter and public safety being the highest priority. Crews continue to shore up containment lines around the north, east, and south portions of the fire. A more accurate assessment of the fire perimeter was done yesterday by air with an updated acreage of 1024. The fire continues backing, active flanking, and some torching. The fire is burning mainly in jackstraw piles of dead and down trees in heavy timber. There has been minimal spread over the past few days even with the red flag warning in place yesterday, which are forecasted to continue for high winds and low humidity today. Crews will continue to closely monitor fire behavior and spread.

The fire continues burning in an area where 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 low to moderate 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 was assessed by air yesterday with an updated acreage of 286. Crews walked the perimeter as well and observed some active flanking and backing fire behavior with minimal spread. There is minimal threat to recreation resources, infrastructure, or values at risk. This fire is in a rural area and access is difficult without prepping roads with heavy equipment for access. Crews will continue ground reconnaissance today.

Today: There will be crews on the Thor fire actively scouting for spot fires and any high rate of spread that may occur with the expected wind gusts in the afternoon. Shoring up completed contingency lines continue to be a high priority on the ground. There are 2 smaller fires in the area that the team is managing. These fires have very limited access and are planned for aerial reconnaissance once again. Air resources are available to assist with fire control if needed. Lookouts remain in several areas to monitor and relay fire behavior information to firefighters working on the fire.

Weather: A Red Flag warning will be in place again today. Hot dry conditions with poor overnight humidity recoveries will continue and windy conditions are possible as a cold front moves through the area. 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. 

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. 

Thor Fire Update 09.04.22
 
 Size: approx. 800 acres
 
 Containment: 0%

 Cause: lightning

 Location: east of Sullivan Lake

 Fuels: Timber
 
 Personnel Assigned: 22
 
 Fire information contact: ‪(509) 720-7418‬ | https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf | www.fs.usda.gov/colville ‬‬
 
 Newport, Wash., (September 4, 2022) —
 
 There was an increase of activity on the Thor Fire over the last few days when Red Flag weather conditions impacted the fire area. Elevated temperatures and increased winds contributed to fire growth inside the containment line.
 Due to the steep, rugged terrain and heavy dead and down timber litter, it is unsafe for firefighters to engage directly along the fire edge, so indirect line is being utilized toward the objective of full suppression.
 
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.

Some camping areas along the southwest portion of Sullivan Creek Road have been notified that they are on a “SET” be ready evacuation status and should be ready to leave if asked by local authorities.

Slate Fire Update - the Slate fire is approximately 100 acres in size. There is minimal threat to recreation resources, infrastructure, or values at risk from this fire. It is currently in a monitor status.

For an interactive air quality map and predicted smoke conditions, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

For any additional questions about the Thor Fire, please contact ‪(509) 720-7418. For more fire information, follow our Inciweb page, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8343/, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/Colville_NF.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

 

 CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:
The closure encompasses multiple National Forest System Roads near the Sullivan Creek and Pass Creek drainages.

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 2200000J

ohns 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.

Closed Roads:
NFS Road 2200000
NFS Road 302 (IPNF)
NFS Road 2220000
NFS Road 2212000
NFS Road 2200500
NFS Road 2200250

Thor Fire Update 08.26.22
 
Size: approx. 190 acres
Containment: 0%
Cause: lightning
Location: east of Sullivan Lake
Fuels: Timber
Personnel Assigned: 33

Fire information contact: ‪(509) 720-7418‬ | https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf | www.fs.usda.gov/colville ‬‬

Newport, Wash., (August 26, 2022) —

The Thor Fire received significant rainfall yesterday, slowing fire spread and cooling down interior pockets of burning material. Lightning strikes across the region yesterday created new fire starts in several places on the Colville National Forest. Some resources from the Thor Fire were utilized for initial attack on these new incidents. Today, crews and heavy equipment will continue work along the Forest Service 2200300 road to secure containment lines.

This will be the last daily update for the Thor Fire unless significant changes occur. If you have questions about the fire, please contact‪ (509) 720-7418.

For an interactive air quality map and predicted smoke conditions, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

There are currently no fire restrictions or campground closures on the Colville National Forest. NFS Road 2200300, beginning approximately 5 miles East on Sullivan Creek Rd and 5 miles West of Gypsy Meadows is closed to the public. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices

For any additional questions about the Thor Fire, please contact ‪(509) 720-7418. For more fire information, follow our Inciweb page, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8343/, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/Colville_NF.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Thor Fire Update 08.25.22
 
Size: approx. 190 acres
 
Containment: 0%

Cause: lightning
  
Location: east of Sullivan Lake

Fuels: Timber
 
Personnel Assigned: 27
 
Fire information contact: ‪(509) 720-7418‬ | livia_stecker@firenet.gov | https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf | www.fs.usda.gov/colville ‬‬

Newport, Wash., (August 25, 2022) —


Yesterday, The Thor Fire displayed minimal activity, creeping and smoldering in dense ground fuels. Occasional single tree torching was observed in some areas, producing smoke that was visible from Sullivan Lake and surrounding areas. The fire is continuing to back slowly towards established containment lines. The fire currently remains at zero percent containment. Containment of the fire is determined once the fire has reached identified lines and firefighters have a high level of confidence that it will not cross, even if tested by wind and higher temperatures in the area.

Thor Fire Update
08.24.22
Size: approx. 180 acres
Containment: 0%
Cause: lightning
Location: east of Sullivan Lake
Fuels: Timber
Personnel Assigned: 27
 
 Fire information contact: ‪(509) 720-7418‬ | livia_stecker@firenet.gov | https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf | www.fs.usda.gov/colville ‬‬
 
 Newport, Wash., (August 24, 2022) —
 
 There was very little growth on the Thor Fire yesterday, although fire activity continues in the heavy timber litter on the ground within containment lines. Thunderstorm activity in the vicinity created mild outflow winds across the area, but cooler temperatures and increased humidity moderated fire behavior. The fire continues to back slowly towards containment lines, creeping and smoldering in heavy dead and down timber, providing benefit to the area as it cleans up the forest floor.

 The steep terrain and thick litter make direct access to the fire difficult and unsafe, so crews and heavy equipment are working to establish indirect lines around the fire, using roads and other pre-existing natural barriers for a full-suppression strategy. Firefighters are actively engaged along Forest Service Road 2200300, removing thick brush and timber litter from the roadside to create depth for the containment line.

 Smoke from the Thor Fire may be visible for some distance due to the heavy fuel loading and location of the fire. For an interactive air quality map and predicted smoke conditions, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

 There are currently no fire restrictions or campground closures on the Colville National Forest. NFS Road 2200300, beginning approximately 5 miles East on Sullivan Creek Rd and 5 miles West of Gypsy Meadows is closed to the public. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices

For any additional questions about the Thor Fire, please contact Public Information Officer Liv Stecker ‪(509) 720-7418. For more fire information, follow our Inciweb page, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8343/, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/Colville_NF.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Thor Fire Update 08.23.22
 
 Size: approx. 170 acres
 Containment: 0%
 Cause: lightning
 Location: east of Sullivan Lake
 Fuels: Timber
 Personnel Assigned: 27
 
Fire information contact: ‪(509) 720-7418‬ | livia_stecker@firenet.gov | https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf | www.fs.usda.gov/colville ‬‬

Newport, Wash., (August 23, 2022) —

Lower temperatures and increased humidity in the fire area continue to slow spread of the Thor Fire. The fire is creeping and smoldering in dead and down fuels on the ground and backing slowly downhill toward the roadways that are being improved for containment line. The increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping.
Fire crews and heavy equipment continue working along Forest Service 2200300 road, widening the fuel break by removing thick brush and heavy dead and down timber from the side of the road.

Due to the location of the fire and heavy timber burning in the interior of the fire, smoke may be visible as far south as Cusick and east to Priest Lake. For an interactive air quality map and predicted smoke conditions, visit https://fire.airnow.gov/.

There are currently no fire restrictions or campground closures on the Colville National Forest. NFS Road 2200300, beginning approximately 5 miles East on Sullivan Creek Rd and 5 miles West of Gypsy Meadows is closed to the public. https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices

For any additional questions about the Thor Fire, please contact Public Information Officer Liv Stecker ‪(509) 720-7418. For more fire information, follow our Inciweb page, https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8343/, Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/Colville_NF.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

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