A virtual community meeting will be held at 7:30PM tonight via Facebook Live on the Colville Tribal Broadcasts, News and Information Facebook page. The event will feature updates from Colville Business Council member Joel Boyd, Incident Commander Eric Knerr, fire operations leadership, and fire weather and behavior specialists.

A new Level 2 Evac is in effect in the vicinity of the southwest flank of Kewa Fields Fire in the proximity of Wilmont Creek Road. 

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. Current Situation:  Mop up on the west side of the Fry Fire continued yesterday and the fire remains relatively secure.  Light southerly winds made firefighting difficult on the northern ends of both of the larger fires as smoke restricted the use of aircraft. The Inchelium Highway Fire pushed over a primary line on the northwest flank late yesterday, but remains within the secondary containment strategy.  The east, south, and a majority of the west sides of the fire are holding well.   On the Kewa Fields Fire firefighters continued to secure the slopover on the south flank across Falls Creek Road and kept the fire from moving over the ridge above Stray Dog Canyon on the northeast flank. 

Today’s Operations: Fry Fire (500 acres):  Continue mop up the western edge and secure the north, east, and southern perimeters. A Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents living near Twin Lakes and Meteor Road including North and South Twin.

Three fires actively burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Fry Fire, the Inchelium Highway Fire, and Kewa Field 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 night shift is assisting with holding and securing fire lines, with additional resources being added as they become available. Current Situation:  On the Fry Fire yesterday, fire lines remained secure on the north, east, and southern flanks.  On the west flank crews worked to improve fire line. Another successful day was had on Inchelium Highway Fire with direct line completed across the entire north flank.  Crews also picked up several small slopovers on the west flank. Retardant drops and fire boss water drops were used when visibility permitted to slow the spread of Kewa Field Fire. Overnight, the northeast flank of the fire pushed its way to the ridge above Stray Dog Canyon. 

Today’s Operations:

Fry Fire (500 acres):  Crews will continue to mop up the western edge and hold and secure the north, east, and southern perimeter. A Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents living near Twin Lakes and Meteor Road including North and South Twin.

Check back often for updates.

Three fires actively burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Inchelium Highway Fire, Fry Fire and Kewa Field Fire.  All three fires are being managed for full suppression. The cause of the fires remains under investigation.

Inchelium Highway Fire - A reduced, Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents near Hall Creek and Seyler Valley Road.

Fry Fire - A reduced, Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents living near Twin Lakes and Meteor Road including North & South Twin. 

Kewa Field Fire - This area remains under a Level 2 Evacuation for residents in Kewa Valley. A Level 1 Evacuation is in effect for Stray Dog Canyon.

All roads are currently open.

Three fires actively burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Inchelium Highway Fire, Fry Fire and Kewa Field Fire. All three fires are being managed for full suppression. The cause of the fires remains under investigation.

At 6:00 a.m. today, Interagency Northwest Incident Management Team 7 with IC, Eric Knerr assumed management of the Inchelium Complex.  

Current Situation: Fire managers are looking for opportunities to engage the fires in a full suppression strategy, while prioritizing firefighter and public safety and protecting values at risk. Crews remain focused on point protection with a focus on structures and natural and cultural resources. Aircraft stationed in Omak, WA will be used to help support suppression efforts when wildfire smoke clears enough to provide visibility. Critical fire weather being experienced in areas of the Pacific Northwest has led to a high demand for firefighting resources within the region.

Inchelium Highway Fire (2,500 acres): Crews were successful with constructing containment line around a large portion of the fire area yesterday. A reduced, Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents near Hall Creek and Seyler Valley Road

Fry Fire (500 acres): Yesterday, firefighters’ efforts to focus on structure protection for homes in the Twin Lakes area and summer homes in the vicinity proved successful. Crews will continue to seek opportunities to construct and improve fire line today. A reduced, Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents living near Twin Lakes and Meteor Road including North & South Twin.

Kewa Field Fire (5,000 acres):  Dozer line was constructed to contain the southern perimeter of the fire yesterday. Firefighters will continue to do point protection around structures today, while improving existing containment lines, particularly in Divisions R and M along the northern perimeter. This area remains under a Level 2 Evacuation for residents in Kewa Valley.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  A cold pressure system continues to move through the fire area, bringing high winds and low humidity. Today potential fire behavior may include areas of active surface fire spread where fuels are contiguous and some group tree torching.

Road Closures:  Seyler Valley Road to Silver Creek Road. Bridget Creek Road remains Open.

Evacuation Information: For the latest evacuation information see updates from Colville Tribal Emergency Operations at https://www.colvilletribes.com/news-room.

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