9/07/2015 Kettle Complex Fire Update

Deer Creek-Boulder Creek Road opened to traffic today at 8:00 a.m. Please use caution while driving on this and other roads due to the risk of falling trees, debris in the roadway, fire vehicles, isolated smoke obscuring visibility, and wildlife on the move.
 

The rain and cooler than normal temperatures this past weekend has aided firefighters significantly,
allowing crews and bulldozers to construct direct fireline and perform mop-up operations along many parts of the fire edge. Minimal fire activity is expected for the next 48 hours in the Colville National Forest and surrounding area. The improving conditions have allowed the last British Columbia Wildfire Services firefighters to return home to Canada. Their contributions have been outstanding.

While conditions have improved, there is still a risk of isolated flare-ups when fuel, topography, and weather align to promote fire spread. Ridgetops and southern exposed slopes are most at risk for open flames. Even with the recent rains, fire may still flare up later in the week due to warmer and drier weather.

Currently, there are over 135 miles of fire perimeter on the four fires combined. Starting Tuesday, a Type-2 Incident Command Team is assigned to the Kettle Complex to oversee the continuing firefighting, mop-up, and supression activity repairs. Some crews are already working to repair areas damaged by fire supression on public and private property.

Stickpin Fire: Fireline has been completed between Deer Creek-Boulder Creek Road and Little Boulder Creek Road, and crews are working to complete line up to the north end of the fire today. Mop-up continues along the western and southern flanks of the fire.

Renner Fire:Firefighters continue to strengthen and improve firelines around the north, east and south edges of the fire. Dozer line repair and road prep continues on the northeast flank and mop-up continues along the Hwy 395 corridor. Fire activity in the Deadman Creek area may increase later in the week due to warmer drier weather.

Graves Fire:Crews will continue to secure existing fireline along the south edge of the fire and do mop-up near the Bonneville power line. Direct fireline will be constructed north of and down to Deadman Creek. Handcrews will continue to check for spots outside of the main fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior:Skies will be mostly cloudy with slightly warmer temperatures. There is a slight chance of rain showers in the afternoon but most of the fire area should remain dry. Gradual warming will continue on Tuesday with a weak frontal boundary moving into the area. The winds will swing from the southwest to west during the late afternoon with gusts to 20 mph possible. Wednesday will see continued warming and drying with partly cloudy skies. Highs will range from the upper 60s on the ridges to low 70s in the valleys.

Closure Information:Deer Creek-Boulder Creek County Road 602 is now open to public vehicle traffic, however all connecting access roads will remain blocked. Find out more about Colville National Forest closures by going to their website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/colville. All of Ferry County remains in a Level 1 Evacuation status except for the westside of Highway 21 from McCann Creek south to Bridge Creek Road, which remains at the higher Level 3.