8/23/2015 North Star PM Update

NORTH STAR FIRE UPDATE

Sunday 08/23/2015 –10:00PM

                                      

Acres: 147,000                                    Start Date: August 13, 2015                                                                         

Cause: Under investigation                 Location: Approximately 12 miles north of Nespelem, WA.

Containment: 3%                               Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass and understory

Structures Threatened: 2000 +         Total personnel: 484

                                                                       

Tomorrow’s Actions: Red Flag conditions are again in effect until 9PM. Day and night operational periods will use direct and indirect lines providing point protection while also maintaining an anchor point in the southeast section of the fire northeast of Owhi Lake. Scouting continues via air on the western side of the fire, due to the proximity of the Tunk Block Fire. Structure protection and support for residences in Aeneas Valley area continues. Fire managers will be assessing placement of direct and indirect lines helping with the protection of West Fork, along Highway 21 corridor and the town of Republic.    

Today’s Actions: Red flag conditions are in place from noon till 9PM Monday evening. An anchor point was established on the southeast edge of the fire, near Owhi Flats, using direct line tactics to protect communities to the south.  Constuction of direct and indirect dozer lines to the north of Nespelem continued. Fire managers assessed road systems and conducted burnout operations where feasible. Crews continued protection of critical communications sites and reinforced firelines to enhance community protection during the day and night shifts. Structure assessment continues in the surrounding areas. Smoke is still impacting local communities. Smoke senitive indiviuals should take precautionary measures and stay inside when possible. Please visit http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_state&stateid=49 for more air quality information. Though many structures are still threatened, no structures have been lost in the North Star Fire.

EVACUATIONS:

New evacuations: Highway 21 from the Colville Indian Reservation boundary north to McMann Creek.

Stage 3 evacuations are still in effect for residents in Moses Mountain Community, Haden Creek, including Owhi Flats, Disautel, along Highway 155, all of Aeneas Valley and West Fork.

CLOSURES:

Okanogan – Wenatchee National Forests closure east of Tonasket and south of highway 20.  

Highway 21 from Bridge Creek Road north to the Reservation boundary is closed; Highway 155 is closed from Nespelem west to Omak.  Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas are closed to the public due to extreme fire danger.

Volunteer Information: www.dnr.wa.gov/WildfireVolunteer

FIRE INFORMATION:

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4524/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Star-Fire/719347344836918

Phone: 509-634-2194

Email: Northstarfire2015@gmail.com