NORTH STAR FIRE UPDATE
Friday 08/21/2015 –09:00PM
Acres: 88,000
Cause: Under investigation Location: Approximately 12 miles north of Nespelem, WA.
Containment: 0% Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass and understory
Structures Threatened: 700 + Total personnel: 331
Today’s Actions: Crews will be evaluating opportunities to build direct and indirect lines using natural barriers and roads around the fire perimeter. Fire operations will be supporting structure and infrastructure protection using burnouts as appropriate and practical in all affected communities. Extreme fire behavior is expected again today with predicted wind events with gusts of up to 30mph. Structure assessment will continue in the Aeneas Valley area. On the west side of the fire, near Moses Mountain, the fire is flanking and creeping.
Yesterday’s Actions: Extreme fire behavior (torching, spotting, uphill runs and multiple columns) was observed within the fire area. Tempetures were in the high 80’s with relative humidity 15% -20%, southwest winds were 10 – 20mph with gusts up to 25mph. Red Flag warnings continue until Fridayat 11:00PM. Crews continued to build indirect dozer lines, assess road systems and scouted possible tie in points with highway 155. These actions provided protection of critical communications sites, reinforced firelines and enhanced protection.
The Tunk Block Fire has crossed Highway 20 at mile post 269 it is north of Chewiliken Road and west of Peony Creek. The fire is anticipated to move into the Aeneas Valley by late tonight or early morning. Keeping public and incident personnel safety in mind, fire mangers highly recommend that the public avoid the roads into and around Aeneas Valley. Although temperatures will be cooler, large fire growth is expected.
EVACUATIONS:
Stage 3 evacuations are in effect for all of Aeneas Valley.
The area northeast of Nespelem is still under Level 3 evacuations with the addition of South Nanamkin Creek north to the reservation boundary on Highway 21; Nespelem Creek, Owhi Creek, Owhi Flats, Cambell areas.
Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas are closed to the public due to extreme fire danger.
Fire Information:
Phone: 509-634-2194
Email: Northstarfire2015@gmail.com
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