9/10/2015 North Star and Tunk Block Fire Update

The Ferry County Sheriff, in collaboration with DOT and the Colville Tribal Police, announced the full opening of Highway 21 between Republic and Keller within Ferry County. Fire equipment will remain in the area, so please use caution and watch for equipment on or near the highway. There may be smoke from the fire. Additionally, the last remaining level 3 evacuation zone North of the reservation line has been released to level 2 (no longer mandatory evacuation).

Continued strategic firing operations to remove fuel between the main fire and containment lines to better protect nearby communities, especially Republic, are the priority. About 1,000 acres were burned last night in the vicinity of Cornell Butte Crews will take advantage of drying fine fuels to burn along the southwest boundary of the fire and possibly elsewhere.

Other areas of fire, including the southern edge, Warwick Road in Aeneas Valley and Scatter Creek, are in mop-up and patrol. Steep rocky slopes above and west of Highway 21 are making it difficult for firefighters to construct containment lines. As temperatures rise and humidity levels drop, more active fire behavior is anticipated and smokes will be visible from nearby communities such as from Republic, Disautel, and Nespelem. Some smoke may settle in valleys overnight and early morning.

Tunk Block Fire Update
Size: 162,660 acres 
Estimated Cost to Date: $4.2 million 
Containment: 71 percent 
Injuries: 0 
Total Personnel: 571 
Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 0
Committed Resources: 17 crews, 38 engines, 5 helicopters, 9 dozers, 13 water tenders, 1 skidder

Fireline construction was completed all the way around the 162,660-acre Tunk Block Fire. Work today will be focused on securing and improving firelines in the southeast and northeast parts of the fire, especially in the vicinity of the lookout on Tunk Mountain and Crawfish Lake. Major portions of the Tunk Block Fire are in mop-up and patrol.