Two fires currently burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation and one in patrol status comprise the Inchelium Complex: Inchelium Highway Fire, Kewa Fields Fire, and Fry Fire. All three fires are being managed for full suppression. Crews remain focused on securing exterior lines with an emphasis on mopping up around structures, and the ongoing protection of natural and cultural resources.

All Level 2 Evacuations around the Inchelium Complex fires were reduced to Level 1 Evacuations effective 6PM Saturday, Sept. 19, 2020.

Current Situation: Showers have passed and were mostly hit and miss. Both the Inchelium Highway Fire and Fry Fire received some rainfall but our most active fire, Kewa Fields Fire, was missed by the passing front. On Inchelium Highway Fire yesterday, firefighters mopped up along the fire lines to gain more depth in the northwest flank. Crews also continued mopping up around structures inside the perimeter and other flanks. On the Kewa Fields Fire, crews continued to mop up along fire lines in the northeast corner, and secure and hold containment lines on east and south flanks. Crews continued to work to improve the west and north flanks. The Fry Fire continued to be secure.

Today’s Operations: Inchelium Highway Fire (7,120 acres): Mopping up on all flanks and around structures will continue. Equipment will be moving into the area to begin suppression repair work on the Inchelium Highway Fire. Crews working with hand tools and heavy machinery will repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and other impacts resulting from fire suppression activities.

Kewa Fields Fire (11,797 acres): Crews will continue to mop up fire lines on the northeast flank and better secure the east and south flanks. Additional burnout operations are planned on the north and west flanks. Looking for options to secure the fire closer to the burning perimeter of the north flank remains a priority.

Fry Fire (482 acres): Firefighters will patrol and monitor the Fry Fire and continue with suppression repair efforts.

Weather and Fire Behavior: The forecast calls for temperatures in the upper 60s and relative humidity with light winds. Forest fuels under the canopy is remains dry in most places. Expect creeping and isolated flare-ups especially in areas missed by the recent rain event and in areas with heavy fuel loading under a closed canopy.

Smoke: Air quality has improved significantly and there will be clear skies above the fire.

Road Closures:  Seylor Valley Road north of Bridge Creek and Hall Creek Roads are closed. Bridge Creek Road is open.

Evacuation Levels: For the latest evacuation information see updates from Colville Tribal Emergency Operations https://www.colvilletribes.com/active-fires.

COVID-19:  Mitigations are being taken to limit exposure risks to firefighters and the Tribal community per CDC guidelines.  

All Level 2 Evacuations around the Inchelium Complex fires were reduced to Level 1 Evacuations effective 6PM Saturday, Sept. 19.

Two fires currently burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation and one in patrol status comprise the Inchelium Complex: Inchelium Highway Fire, Kewa Fields Fire, and Fry Fire. All three fires are being managed for full suppression. Crews remain focused on securing exterior lines with an emphasis on mopping up around structures, and the ongoing protection of natural and cultural resources.

Current Situation: Yesterday on the Inchelium Highway Fire, crews continued to find and extinguish hot spots near containment lines in the northwest flank, with aggressive mop up pushing deeper into burned areas along all flanks. On the Kewa Fields Fire work advanced to improve and secure the northeast, east, and south flanks. Burnout operations were conducted along the west flank, and firefighters were able to construct containment line closer to the burning perimeter of the north flank. Suppression repair began at the Fry Fire with repairs to dozer line along the southeast perimeter.

Today’s Operations: A suppression repair group has been formed to repair areas disturbed in the building of hand and dozer containment lines, along with roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

Inchelium Highway Fire (7,120 acres): Equipment and crews will focus on mopping up to secure the northwest flank, particularly around structures within the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters will use heat sensing equipment, known as Infrared Scanners, to detect heat sources. A Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents near Hall Creek Road and Seylor Valley Road.

Kewa Fields Fire (11,797 acres): Crews will continue to mop up fire lines on the northeast flank, and secure and mop up fire lines on the east and south flanks. Additional burnout operations are planned on the north and west flanks. A Level 2 Evacuation remains in effect in the vicinity of the southwest flank of Kewa Fields Fire in the proximity of Wilmont Creek Road, and the area extending two miles north of Stray Dog Canyon, and within Stray Dog Canyon.

Fry Fire (482 acres): Firefighters will patrol and mop up isolated pockets of heat. A Level 1 evacuation is in effect for residents living near Twin Lakes and Meteor Road including North and South Twin.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 60s, with minimum relative humilities around 50%, and light southwest winds of 3-6 mph. There remains a chance for isolated storms with accompanying winds gusts up to 15 - 25 mph. Although slightly hampered by the moderating conditions, active fire behavior including backing and flanking fire spread is expected.

Smoke: Smoke will likely continue to create reduced air quality throughout the day. By Sunday morning air quality should be Good to Moderate, except in areas very close to the fires. 

Road Closures:  Seylor Valley Road north of Bridge Creek and Hall Creek Roads are closed. Bridge Creek Road is open.

Evacuation Levels: For the latest evacuation information see updates from Colville Tribal Emergency Operations https://www.colvilletribes.com/active-fires.

COVID-19:  Mitigations are being taken to limit exposure risks to firefighters and the Tribal community per CDC guidelines. 

Three fires currently burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Fry Fire, Inchelium Highway Fire, and Kewa Fields Fire.  All three fires are being managed for full suppression. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Crews remain focused on point protection with an emphasis on structures and natural and cultural resources, and minimizing the footprint on all three fires.

Current Situation: Yesterday on Inchelium Highway Fire crews discovered a small slopover on the northwest flank. It was quickly lined and crews spent the day mopping up and securing the area. The east, south, and west flanks of the fire have been holding, enabling firefighters to focus their efforts in and around homes and structures within the fire perimeter. At Kewa Fields Fire hand crews continued to improve and secure fire lines around the northeast, east, and southeast flanks. The indirect contingency line, which starts on Coyote Creek Road and moves towards the west, was completed should it be needed. All lines on Fry Fire are holding as work continued to mop up further into the fire area.

Today’s Operations:

Inchelium Highway Fire (7,147 acres): Crews will continue to mop up and strengthen control lines around structures within the perimeter and improve fire lines on all flanks.  A Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents near Hall Creek Road and Seyler Valley Road.

CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION OFFICE OF ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST

Public Notice - Air Quality Warning

Extended to Friday 9-18-2020

Date: September 14, 2020

We will continue to experience air quality in the Unhealthy to Hazardous conditions through Friday with some improvement over the weekend. Firefighters are gaining control on the Reservation fires with little increase in acreages and new smoke production.

These fires will continue to smolder or flare up inside the containment lines so expect some smoke. Fires in Oregon and California will continue to keep our area smoke filled as the current weather pattern pushes smoke over Eastern Washington.

Three fires actively burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Fry Fire, Inchelium Highway Fire, and Kewa Fields Fire.  All three fires are being managed for full suppression. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Crews remain focused on point protection with an emphasis on structures and natural and cultural resources, and minimizing the footprint on all three fires.  

A virtual community meeting was held yesterday to provide an overview of the fires and answer questions. A recording of it can be viewed at: www.facebook.com/ColvilleTribune, www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts

The Level 3 Evacuation Around Stray Dog Canyon Reduced to a Level 2