8/30/2015 Colville Comoplex Update

The Graves Mountain Fire will become part of the Kettle Complex tomorrow, Monday, August 31 at 6 a.m. At that time information on the Graves Mt. Fire can be found at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4536/# or by calling 509-724-0040.

Yesterday’s Operations: All established fire lines on the Graves Mountain, Gold Hill and Marble Valley Fires held during yesterday’s wind event, with the only perimeter growth occurring on the northern end of the Graves Mountain Fire. Fire behavior on the Graves Mountain Fire was very active on the northern perimeter, with the spot fire across Deadman Creek growing to an estimated 500 acres and the main fire edge continuing to back down toward the creek bottom. Firefighters successfully held control lines on the west, south and east flanks and continued to mop-up those lines when it was safe to do so. To the northeast of the fire, personnel continued to improve the defensibility of structures along Deadman Road and construct a contingency line in the event the fire were to move down the Deadman Creek drainage.  The Graves Mountain Fire grew approximately 217 acres and is now estimated to be 21% contained.

Firefighters continued to mop-up the perimeter and around structures on the Marble Valley and Gold Hill Fires

yesterday. Both fires are now estimated to be 96% contained.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today’s forecast includes a chance of wetting rain in the area with decreasing temperatures and wind speeds. These cooler, moister, less windy conditions will greatly moderate the potential fire behavior.

Today’s Operations: Firefighters on the Graves Mountain Fire will be holding and mopping-up established control lines on the east and west flanks and patrolling the southern containment line. Crews will continue their work removing fuel near the structures in the Deadman Road area and on the contingency line to the west of these private properties.

Firefighters on the Marble Valley and Gold Hill Fires will continue mopping-up 100 feet from the fire’s perimeter and 200 feet around structures. Handheld infrared sensors will again be used on both fires to ensure there is no remaining heat near the fire line and around structures.

A Fire Information Call Center is staffed from 7 am to 9 pm daily to direct calls to the appropriate Incident Management Team, County Emergency Operations Center or disaster relief organization for all fires in Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille Counties.  The call center can be reached at: (509) 684-7260, -7261 or -7263.