7/21/2025 Hope Fire Update

Operational Update: Yesterday line improvement and mop-up took place around the entire fire perimeter. 

In the northwestern area, masticators and chippers continued brushing out along roads and contingency lines.  Crews patrolled the fire near Cougar Mountain and around structures at Ansaldo Lake, extinguishing heat sources to secure the line. On the northeast corner, lines were secured along the eastern piece of the fire. Hot spots detected by an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) infrared flight along the eastern edge were mopped up and secured. In the southern end where mop up has been completed 50 feet into control lines, hose lays were removed, suppression repair was initiated, and water bars were installed for erosion control. Night operations patrolled areas of concern and found no threatening heat. 

Overnight precipitation may delay fire resources from getting to the line due to road conditions. Crews on the north end of the fire will be connecting various segments of control line and strengthening and securing line by going direct where conditions allow. On the northwest corner crews will be scouting and preparing for a tactical burning operation to secure control lines when favorable weather conditions return. Mop-up and suppression repair will take place in all areas. In the southern end crews will begin “back haul” or removing equipment no longer necessary for suppression of repair. 

Weather: A trough stalled over the region today. Precipitation and possible thunderstorms will remain over the fire area throughout the day. There is a potential for heavy rain and gusty winds up to 30 mph near thunderstorms. Temperatures 64-79 degrees, relative humidity 47-100%. A warming and drying trend will move into the area Wednesday. 

Evacuations: Evacuations remain in effect. Evacuation and road closure information is available on the Stevens County Emergency Management Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stevenscountyem/. 

Shelters: The Red Cross Evacuation Center at the Kettle Falls Middle School, 105 W. 11th Ave, Kettle Falls, WA is now only open on an on-call basis. The Animal Evacuation Center at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds, 317 W. Astor Ave, Colville, WA remains open.

Road Closures: The Forest Service has issued a road closure for the Lael Road and Crown Creek Road for public safety. The closure is focused on the NFS roads that originate on Forest Service lands and was designed to keep those roads clear for emergency personnel assisting with the Hope Fire. This is a good reminder to limit travel within the fire footprint – it’s critical that firefighters have the space necessary to do their work.