8/24/2015 Kettle Complex Update

Incident Summary: The Kettle Complex includes three fires in northern Ferry County Washington.

Current Situation:  Good progress was made yesterday as the calm and smoky conditions suppressed violent fire activity. There have been no injuries and no homes lost. There are firefighters from 27 states and one Canadian province on this incident. Support teams from the Washington National Guard are assisting fire managers to ensure safety of the public and firefighters on the Kettle Complex. Fire officials are working together to prioritize incident personnel and manage numerous incidents. An Area Command Team is in place to provide additional leadership and support to Kettle Complex, North Star fire, the Colville Complex, and Kaniksu Complex.

Stickpin Fire - Stickpin Fire is at 47,544 acres and is burning on the Kettle Crest between Curlew and Orient. The fire is 12% contained. Firelines constructed along the western edge are holding. Crews continue to strengthen the lines. On the southern perimeter, dozer lines are being constructed but are indirect (meaning there is unburned fuel between the line and the fire edge). Three helicopters are supporting firefighting efforts as conditions allow. Public and firefighter safety is a significant concern. Incident management personnel are looking at all options for suppression. Fire crews from across the state are in place to assist Ferry County Fire District 14 and Ferry County District 3/Stevens 8 with structure protection under the State Mobilization Act. These resources are dedicated to structure protection and free up additional firefighters for wildland fireline construction.

Two hand crews, two dozers, and management personnel arrived from British Columbia, Canada yesterday to work in partnership with existing fire suppression efforts on the northeastern perimeter. The fire has burned into the Togo Fire (2003) burn area and crews are working to construct line to keep the fire from progressing toward Grand Forks and Christina Lake British Columbia.

Roy Road Fire – The 120-acre Roy Road Fire is burning west of Republic and is 60% contained. Firefighters continue to mop up, locate and extinguish pockets of interior heat.

Renner Lake Fire – The Renner Lake Fire is approximately 8,544 acres and is 0% contained. Firefighters continue to be shifted off of other areas to assist local fire district personnel. No homes have been lost. Good progress was made yesterday to secure the eastern edge of the fire.

Structure protection forces are working diligently to protect structures. The only structure that was destroyed was confirmed to be a detached garage.  Highway 395 is open and drivers are urged to use caution and be aware of firefighting equipment in the area. Evacuations are still in effect and are being reevaluated today. Fire personnel are working this fire 24 hours a day.

Regional Information Office: DNR and the USFS have established a fire information call center for fires in Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille Counties. Trained staff will answer public questions and/or forward callers to the correct Incident Management Team or County Emergency Operations Center that they need to reach. The phone numbers are; 509-684-7260, 509-684-7261 and 509-

684-7263. These phones will be staffed daily from 7am to 9pm.

Evacuation Information: No changes from yesterday, however, there are additional Level 2 evacuation notices near Republic from the North Star Fire. This information is as of 9 AM. If conditions change, it will be updated on the Ferry County Sheriff’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ferry-County-Sheriffs-Office-911/339957886082797.

LEVEL I- All of Ferry County is under a Level I notice, except for Level II and Level III areas as described below. Please remember that a LEVEL 1 evacuation notice is a notification that you may be asked to evacuate. Residents are encouraged to make plans if conditions change.

LEVEL II- The level II evacuation is from MM 247 to MM 253 on the EAST side of Highway 395 in the Barstow area. Nancy Creek Rd, Hurl Burt, Boulder Creek-Deer Creek – HWY 21 past mile marker 1, Long Alec – HWY 21 past mile marker 1, Danville Area – HWY 21 all roads off the main HWY past mile marker 1,Lone Ranch – HWY 21 past mile marker 1, Riveredge Rd, Roosevelt Rd and the Columbia Cedar Mill

LEVEL III –The level 3 evacuation is from MM 247 to MM 253 on the WEST side of Highway 395, which is includes the Matsen Creek Community including Matsen Creek Road, Jackknife Road and Deadman Creek Road, Anderson Road, Harter Rd, Pool Rd., Carson Rd, BJ’s Road, and Murphy Rd.

Closures: Deer-Boulder County Road 602 is closed; Highway 20 is recommended as an alternate route. Colville National Forest is closed from the Canadian Border to Deadman Creek. All trails, roads, and access are temporarily closed due to extreme fire activity. No campfires, charcoal or chainsaw use are allowed. There are additional road closures in the area due to other incidents – visit  www.wsdot.wa.gov for details.

Fire Prevention: Trees, shrubs, grasses and other vegetation provide fuel for fires. Reducing or even eliminating vegetation close to structures is a way to create defensible space against a wildfire. A defensible space doesn’t have to be an eyesore. Firebreaks (things that don’t burn) can be incorporated into your landscape design. Some examples of firebreaks are: concrete, brick or gravel walkways, concrete flower box borders or planters, and water features, such as a pond. Even a backyard swimming pool can serve as a firebreak.  For more information, visit http://firewise.org/.

Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources Northeast Region, USDA Forest Service Colville National Forest, Ferry County Fire Districts 13 and 14, Joint Fire Protection District Ferry 3 and Stevens 8, Ferry County Sheriff, Ferry County, City of Republic, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Fire Marshal, US Border Patrol, Washington National Guard, British Columbia Wildfire Service