9/13/2015 Kettle Complex Update

SUMMARY

Stickpin          54,278 acres; 55% contained          

Graves Mtn.   8,587 acres; 65% contained 

Renner           3,524 acres; 70% contained  

Total               76,389 acres; 60% contained

Incident Summary:  The Kettle Complex includes three fires – the Stickpin, Renner, and Graves Mountain fires – all burning south of the Canadian border, west of Highway 395, north of State Route 20, and east of Highway 21. The fires remain at approximately 76,400 acres.

Yesterday’s operations: Warm, dry weather Saturday aided burnout operations on the north flank of the Renner Fire, helping secure containment lines. In other areas of the fire, mop-up, repair work and patrols were conducted to ensure the fire remains within its current footprint. Excellent progress was also made on the Graves Mtn. and Stickpin fires including repair work, mop-up, and suppression operations. Crews continue to find and suppress pockets of heat. Forest Road 2160 on the west side of the Stickpin Fire received over 800 yards of gravel and repairs are nearly complete.

Today’s operations: Firefighters continue to conduct a range of operations, including securing fireline utilizing burnouts and mop-up tactics, securing active fireline, and repair. Burnout operations will continue on the north side of the Renner Fire and smoke may be visible from this operation. Firefighters will continue to secure fire line on the east side of the Stickpin Fire, possibly conducting a small burnout operation later today if conditions allow. Mop-up, patrol, and suppression repair continue on the north, west, and south flanks. On the Graves Mountain Fire, crews continue to construct fireline on the north flank near Deadman Creek Road while strengthening existing fireline along the south end of the fire.

Weather Conditions:  Temperatures will cool slightly today but will remain warm and dry. Crews will use this last day of opportunity to conduct safe, quality burnouts if conditions remain favorable. Over the next few days, cool and moist weather is likely to prevail, producing showers and gusty winds over the fire. Gusty winds are always a concern but crews have made great progress securing the fires edge and have a high confidence level the fire will remain within containment lines.

Highway Safety:  Logging activity continues today on private and state forest lands affected by the fire. Log trucks are using Boulder Creek Road and Highway 395. Drivers in the area should expect increased logging traffic as well as fire equipment and are urged to use caution. Keep an eye out for wildlife displaced from the fires and for cows grazing on the roadside.

Closures/Restrictions: Deer Creek-Boulder Creek Road is open, but all connecting US Forest Service roads remain closed to non-fire traffic. Highway 21 is open. For firewood cutting, please call Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) at 509-684-7474 or the Colville National Forest at 509-684-7000 to see if cutting is

allowed in your area or for permitting. Regardless of whether cutting is allowed, burned areas in the Colville National

Forest will remain closed to non-fire traffic until further notice.

Evacuation Information: All of Ferry County affected by the Kettle Complex remains at Evacuation Level 1.

Cooperating Agencies: USDA Forest Service Colville National Forest, Washington Department of Natural Resources Northeast Region, USDI Bureau of Land Management, Ferry County Fire District 3 and 13, Stevens County County Fire District 8, Curlew Fire Department, Ferry County Sheriff.