9/24/2015 Tunk Block Fire Update

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is nearing completion and most of it will likely be completed this weekend. It has been the primary activity occurring on the Tunk Block Fire over the last several days. 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 187 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire.

Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry today. There is a chance of gusty winds in the afternoon ahead of a cold front that may pass through the fire area on Friday morning.

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).
Friday will be the last day this update is mailed out. California Interagency Incident Management Team 1 is anticipating turning the fires back to the local agencies Saturday evening.