8/26/2015 North Star Fire Update

NORTH STAR FIRE UPDATE

Tuesday 08/25/2015 –10:00PM

Acres: 155,000 Start Date: August 13, 2015

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

Containment:5% Fuels/Topography:Timber, grass and understory

StructuresThreatened: 2000 + Total personnel: 648

Tomorrow’s Actions: Crews will continue to provide structure protection and support for residents in the Aeneas Valley and Republic areas. Burn-out operations will be used, where feasible, along Forest Road 3120 to help in the protection of structures in those areas. Dozer line will be constructed along Lost Creek and the Sanpoil River to establish an anchor point. Scouting and implementation continues building direct and indirect lines to protect the towns of Republic and Nespelem. Smoke is still impacting local communities. Smoke sensitive individuals 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.

Today’s Actions: The fire showed moderate growth today as it grew to 155,000 acres. An air tanker dropped 3,000 gallons of fire retardant east of Owhi Lake to slow fire progression. Fire progressed to the vicinity of Highway 155. The highway is still open; expect delays due to firefighting activities. Visibility will be limited near mile post 50 and 51, please turn on headlights and drive slow. Due to poor humidity recovery and dry fuels, the fire continued to actively burn in the interior and along all perimeters. Dozer lines and burn-out operations were conducted south of Republic enhancing structure protection for the area. 

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. 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