9/20/2015 Tunk Block and North Star Fire Update

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is progressing well and is the primary focus of activities on the Tunk Block Fire. These activities seek to mitigate resource concerns caused by fireline construction and the use of roads to access the fire. As much as possible, fire and land managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers and minimize gully and surface erosion. Approximately 130 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Firefighters are responding to smokes of concern as needed.

North Star Fire: Like the Tunk Block Fire, crews are focusing their activities on suppression repair. The suppression repair is in full swing and good progress has been made over the last couple of days. Approximately 185 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the North Star Fire. Firefighters are responding to smokes of concern as needed. Most of the smoke still visible is from interior islands burning.

Weather: A cold front is predicted to reach the fires by this afternoon or early evening. Strong gusty winds are expected in front of the cold front. The areas near the fire perimeter are still moist from the recent rain; temperatures will be lower and humidity high. Due to these factors, spot fires are unlikely and no fire growth is expected.

Evacuations: There are no evacuations or warnings.

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).
California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 will assume command of the Okanogan Complex tomorrow at 6 am.