9/18/2015 North Star and Tunk Block Update

North Star and Tunk Block Update 9-18-15 8:00 a.m.

Tunk Block Fire: Firefighters are focusing their primary efforts on suppression repair. These activities seek to minimize any resource concerns caused by constructing firelines and using roads. As much as possible, fire managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize surface and gully erosion and minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers. A total of nineteen miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Crews are continuing to mop up any remaining heat near containment lines and responding to smoke reported by local land owners.

North Star Fire: Like the Tunk Block Fire, crews are focusing their primary efforts on suppression repair. Chipping of cut material along roads is also occurring. The total miles of suppression repair on the North Star Fire are still being verified. Inciweb will be updated when the numbers become available. Crews are continuing to mop up any remaining heat near containment lines and responding to smoke reported by local land owners.

Weather:   The weather is predicted to be warmer and dryer through the weekend with a slight chance of a late afternoon shower.

Evacuations: All evacuations are at Evacuation level 1 and are being evaluated to be lifted.

Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires are closed. See the maps at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3854418.pdf and http://tinyurl.com/OkaWen-Closure-Map for more specific information.
Donation Information: The Long Term Recovery Group is accepting donations to benefit anyone affected by the Eastern Washington fires. They are located at 41 Apple Way in Okanogan (the formal Tribal Bingo Hall) http://www.cfncw.org/fire/. The Red Cross also accepts donations (1-800-Red-Cross).