9/03/2015 /Kaniksu Complex Update

                                                                 

The Tower Fire, along with six smaller fires, comprises the Kaniksu Complex. The total acreage of
all fires in the complex is 26,327 acres and total containment is 22 percent as of 6:00 p.m., Sept.
2. All evacuation alerts have been lifted for areas around the Tower Fire. However, Forest and road
closures along with burning restrictions are still in effect.

Favorable weather conditions have allowed firefighters to work directly along the fire’s edge and
extinguish hotspots that are close to containment lines. Crews and equipment have been successful
in reducing heat along the line and reducing the chance of embers coming from snags and heavy fuel
pockets. Structure protection crews are starting the process of removing excess equipment from the
Bear Paw area and will evaluate needs for retaining equipment in the Big Meadows community.

Even though the potential for fire spread has been reduced, the public will still see smoke coming
from the fire areas as stumps, snags, and heavy fuel pockets continue to burn. Weather predictions
for the weekend indicate favorable conditions for firefighters to mop-up and construct line.
Predicted rain this weekend will provide limited relief from fire activity.

Here is a roundup of fire activity:

Tower Fire: 24,450 acres, 12% containment. Located 6 miles northeast of Usk, Wash., and 6
miles west of Priest Lake, Idaho. Firefighters on Wednesday were able to contain the northern- most
spot fire of two, north of the fire, and began work on the other. Crews are opening up old forest
roads to gain access in the steep terrain of the upper Squaw Valley. Containment lines around much
of the southern end of the fire are being held and improved. Military crews and firefighters are
removing snag hazards in the Browns Lake area while others continue to advance dozer line into Mill
Creek. Crews are going direct along the fire’s edge on the east side.

Onata Creek Fire: 546 acres, 39% containment. Located about 8 eight miles east, southeast of
Ione, Wash. Crews are nearly done mopping up a 15-acre slop-over on the northern edge of the fire
and anticipate completing that work today.

Grease Creek Fire: 609 acres. Located east of Sullivan Lake. Firefighters began building line
from their anchor point, both east and west, for the start of containment line.

Hall Mountain Fire: 39 acres. Located on Hall Mountain. Currently in monitor status.

Slate Creek  and South Fork Slate Creek Trail fires: 1 acre and 167 acres respectively.
Located near the northwest boundary of Salmo-Priest Wilderness. Currently in monitor status.

Baldy Fire: 515 acres, 100% containment. Located 6 miles north of Ione, Wash.

Current Resources: The number of firefighters is 784. Equipment includes: 17 crews, 10 dozers, 25
engines, 10 water tenders, 1 Air Attack, 1 skidgen, 2 helicopters and 3 Blackhawks for medical
transport
and a variety of fire management and support personnel at the incident base.

Closure and restrictions updates:
All Forest closures, road closures and burning restrictions remain in effect for the areas of
the Kaniksu Complex.

Idaho burn restrictions:
https://www.deq.idaho.gov/air-quality/burning/burn-restrictions-and-bans/

Washington burn restrictions:   https://waburnbans.net/

Idaho Panhandle National Forests closure information:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ipnf/learning/safety-ethics/?cid=stelprd3850265

Colville National Forest closure information:
     http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices


The Priest Lake, Idaho area and Hwy 57 are open to all traffic. All businesses along with
federal and state campgrounds at Priest Lake are open.