9/07/2015 Kaniksu Complex—Tower Fire Update

The Kaniksu Complex, which includes the Tower Fire and six smaller fires, has a total acreage of 26,175 acres and containment of 40 percent as of 6 p.m. Sept. 6.

Recreationists and hunters should be aware that there are still restrictions and closures in place on both the Colville and Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Please check with local ranger districts for more information.

Fire crews got an early start to their work day due to a break in the weather. Crews were able to work on tasks such as fireline cleanup, mop-up and hazard tree removal. Firefighters continued to gain ground on the Tower and Onata fires. The weather forecast over the next few days is partly sunny with a 20% chance of rain and warmer temperatures. The improving conditions will allow crews to enhance line construction and work toward containment.

Here is a roundup of fire activity:
Tower Fire: 24,296 acres, 35% containment. Located 6 miles northeast of Usk, Wash., and 6 miles west of Priest Lake, Idaho. Dozers were used to break up berms along firelines. Crews continued mop up of hot spots and cleaned fireline edges where they could.

Onata Creek Fire: 546 acres, 100% containment. Located 8 miles east/southeast of Ione, Wash. Crews continue mop up of hot spots and contained a slop-over. This fire is now in patrol status.

 Grease Creek Fire: 611 acres, 13% containment. Located east of Sullivan Lake. Crews conducted mop-up of hot spots.

 Hall Mountain Fire: 39 acres. Located on Hall Mountain. Currently in patrol 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.

Baldy Fire: 515 acres, 100% containment. Located 6 miles north of Ione, Wash. Crews worked on rehabing dozer line and surveyed for repair disturbed areas.

Current Resources: The number of personnel on the fire is 773. Resources include: 14 crews, 19 engines, 3 helicopters, 11 dozers, 4 water tenders, 1 Air Attack, 1 skidgen and a variety of fire management and support personnel at the incident base.

Closure and restrictions updates:

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

For more information and current maps check: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4508