9/18/2015 Kaniksu Complex Fire Update

Please remember parts of the Colville and Idaho Panhandle National Forests are still closed to the public for the safety of all. Law enforcement officers are patrolling closed areas and violators may be cited.  Please check with local ranger districts for more information.

The Kaniksu Complex, which includes the Tower Fire and six smaller fires, has a total acreage of

26,044 acres as of 6 pm September 17, 2015. The entire perimeter is not identified as requiring containment line. Of that identified for containment, 100 percent of the work is complete around the fire perimeter.

Portions of the Tower and Grease Creek Fire perimeters were identified as Limited Threat – Minimal Action.  There is containment line worked as contingency for fire growth outside of the current fire line in these areas.  There is limited potential for expansion of the fire into those areas which are about 1,000 acres in size.

The earlier predicted moisture and wetting rains did not materialize over the Kaniksu Complex. With the breezy conditions over the past few day and the forecasted windy conditions growth could occur in those areas.  Fire crews are working diligently to maintain the containment lines and mop up hot spots.

The suppression repair work is going at a steady pace with much of Onata Fire and the southern portion of Tower Fire completed.

Here is a roundup of fire activity:

·    Tower Fire: 24,143 acres, 100% containment. Located 6 miles northeast of Usk, Wash., and 6 miles west of Priest Lake, Idaho.  Portions of the fire are in patrol status with mop up being completed.  Other portions have suppression repair being completed.

·    Onata Creek Fire: 546 acres, 100% containment.  Located 8 miles east/southeast of Ione, Wash.  Suppression repair is being completed.

·    Grease Creek Fire: 633 acres, 100% containment. Located east of Sullivan Lake. This fire is in patrol status.

·    Hall Mountain Fire: 39 acres. Located on Hall Mountain. This fire is 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.

Suppression repair is complete.

Current Resources: The number of personnel on the fire is 147. Resources include: 2 crews, 6 engines,

1 helicopter, and a variety of fire management and support personnel at the incident base.

Closure and restrictions updates:

Idaho Burn Restrictions:    http://idahofireinfo.blogspot.com/  or http://firerestrictions.us/

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