Thursday, August 20, 2015

8/20/2015 North Star Fire Update

NORTH STAR FIRE UPDATE
Thursday 08/20/2015 –09:00AM

                                      
Acres: 75,867                                     Start Date: August 13, 2015                                                                           
Cause: Under investigation                Location: Approximately 12 miles north of Nespelem, WA.
Containment: 0%                              Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass and understory
Structures Threatened: 700 +         Total personnel: 282
                                                                       

Today’s Actions: Extreme fire behavior (torching, spotting, uphill runs and multiple columns) is expected today due to predicted weather conditions on the entire fire area. Tempetures will be in the high 80’s, relative humidity 15% -20%, southwest winds of 10 – 20mph with gusts up to 25mph. Fire spotting of a mile or more is possible. Red Flag warnings will continue until Friday at 11:00pm. Crews will continue to build indirect dozer lines, assess road systems and scout possible tie in points with highway 155. Fire operations continue to provide protection of critical communications sites and are completing point protection on a large spot fire near Granite Mountain.      

Yesterday’s Actions:  The fire showed spotting of up to ½ mile south of Trail Creek Road. On the southern flank of the fire, fire crews constructed dozer line and scouted for potential fire line placement. Crews assessed the northwest flank for indirect control line placement and point protection. Extreme fire behavior was displayed on the perimeter of the fire.    

The community meeting held at Aeneas Valley General Store was well attended, with the residents supportive of the Okanogan Fire Districts, Okanogan National Forest and the Southwest Area Team #5. Moses Mountain Communication site was protected and will continue to be monitored.

In the Aeneas Valley region Stage 3 evacuations include:  Watoka Way, Worwick Road, Stone Haven Road, Frosty Creek Road, and Artemis Meadow Road. Subdivisions: Moses Meadows, Haden Creek, Aeneas Valley, and West Fork.
Stage 1 evacuations include the rest of Aeneas Valley area. 

The area immediately north of Nespelem is still under Level 3 evacuations with the addition of South Nanamkin Creek North to Nineteen Mile Creek on Highway 21.

Level 2 evacuation: Nineteen Mile Creek north to the reservation boundary.

Colville Indian Reservation is closed to the public due to extreme fire danger.

Fire Information:
Phone: 509-634-2194

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