8/31/2015 Kettle Complex Fire Update

Kettle Complex Fire Update

Fire Information 509-724-0040 or StickpinFireInfo@gamail.com

Fire Update – Monday, August 31, 2015 – 9:00 a.m.

Showers moved across the Kettle Complex bringing much needed
moisture to the fire area. Incident Metorologist Bob Topin reported that
the fire received between one-tenth and two-tenths of an inch of
precipitation Sunday. Rain showers and cooler than normal temperatures
are predicted throughout the rest of this week with a return of sunshine
by the end of the weekend.

The rain and the higher humidity have both contributed to slow the spread of
the fires. However, the fire area has not received enough moisture to penetrate
the larger fuels, and in some cases, the rain has not yet penetrated the forest
canopy. Once this cold rainy weather passes, it may only take a few days of
warmer temperatures, steady wind and dry weather to bring burning conditions
back to the place they were a week ago.

Stickpin Fire: The north end of the fire remains 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers)
south of the Canadian border. Firefighters were able to take advantage of the
cooler weather to begin the process of putting hand line around the smaller
wind-driven slopovers on the west, northwest and northeast sides of the fire.
Today crews will continue to strengthen firelines around those slopover areas.
Along the western edge of the fire, firefighters will continue to improve lines to
keep the fire from moving towards Curlew and the Route 21 corridor.

Renner Fire: Yesterday, additional fire line was built and firefighters were able
to put fireline around the one small slopover caused by the high winds on
Saturday. Today, crews and heavy equipment will continue to improve the
fireline near Thompson Ridge that protect homes in the Deadman Creek area.
Mop-up is in progress along the Highway 395 corridor.
Graves Mountain Fire: The Kettle Fire Complex PNW2 Incident Command
Team assumed command of this fire at 6:00 am this morning. Fire crews and
fire personnel with heavy equipment are working to put containment line around
the portion of the fire that crossed South Deadman during the wind event on
Saturday.

Roy Road Fire: The 120 acre Roy Road Fire is in monitor status.
Closure Information: Deer Creek-Boulder Creek County Road 602 remains
closed because of significant hazards through the fire area. Highway 20 is
recommended as an alternate route. The fire organization, in partnership with
Ferry County has crew dedicated to clearing hazard trees from the roadsides.
The portion of the Colville National Forest from the Canadian Border to
Highway 20, between Highway 21 and US Highway 395 is closed. All trails,
roads, and access are temporarily closed due to extreme fire activity. No
campfires, charcoal or chainsaw use are allowed.

Evacuation/Aid Information: The level 3 evacuation is from Mile Marker 247
to Mile Marker 253 to the west of Highway 395, which 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. Shelters are established at Grace Evangelical Free
Church, 851 S. Miner St., Colville (Red Cross), the American Legion (as
needed), 1057 Highway 395 N, Kettle Falls and the Inchelium Community
Center (Private), 1 Loop Road, Inchelium.