9/19/2020 Inchelium Complex Update

 

Two fires currently burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation and one in patrol status comprise the Inchelium Complex: Inchelium Highway Fire, Kewa Fields Fire, and Fry Fire. All three fires are being managed for full suppression.Crews remain focused on securing exterior lines with an emphasis on mopping up around structures, and the ongoing protection of natural and cultural resources.

Current Situation: Yesterday on the Inchelium Highway Fire, crews continued to find and extinguish hot spots near containment lines in the northwest flank, with aggressive mop up pushing deeper into burned areas along all flanks. On the Kewa Fields Fire work advanced to improve and secure the northeast, east, and south flanks. Burnout operations were conducted along the west flank, and firefighters were able to construct containment line closer to the burning perimeter of the north flank. Suppression repair began at the Fry Fire with repairs to dozer line along the southeast perimeter.

Today’s Operations: A suppression repair group has been formed to repair areas disturbed in the building of hand and dozer containment lines, along with roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones and drop points used during fire suppression efforts.

Inchelium Highway Fire (7,120 acres): Equipment and crews will focus on mopping up to secure the northwest flank, particularly around structures within the fire’s perimeter. Firefighters will use heat sensing equipment, known as Infrared Scanners, to detect heat sources. A Level 2 evacuation is in effect for residents near Hall Creek Road and Seylor Valley Road.

Kewa Fields Fire (11,797 acres): Crews will continue to mop up fire lines on the northeast flank, and secure and mop up fire lines on the east and south flanks. Additional burnout operations are planned on the north and west flanks. A Level 2 Evacuation remains in effect in the vicinity of the southwest flank of Kewa Fields Fire in the proximity of Wilmont Creek Road, and the area extending two miles north of Stray Dog Canyon, and within Stray Dog Canyon.

Fry Fire (482 acres): Firefighters will patrol and mop up isolated pockets of heat. A Level 1 evacuation is in effect for residents living near Twin Lakes and Meteor Road including North and South Twin.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 60s, with minimum relative humilities around 50%, and light southwest winds of 3-6 mph. There remains a chance for isolated storms with accompanying winds gusts up to 15 - 25 mph. Although slightly hampered by the moderating conditions, active fire behavior including backing and flanking fire spread is expected.

Smoke: Smoke will likely continue to create reduced air quality throughout the day. By Sunday morning air quality should be Good to Moderate, except in areas very close to the fires. 

Road Closures:  Seylor Valley Road north of Bridge Creek and Hall Creek Roads are closed. Bridge Creek Road is open.

Evacuation Levels: For the latest evacuation information see updates from Colville Tribal Emergency Operations https://www.colvilletribes.com/active-fires.

COVID-19:  Mitigations are being taken to limit exposure risks to firefighters and the Tribal community per CDC guidelines.