7/25/2025 Hope Fire Update

 PUBLIC AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

Northeast Washington Incident Management Team 3 took command of the Hope Fire yesterday at 6:00 p.m. from Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 8, who over the last two weeks have minimized the spread of the fire by constructing and securing control line around the fire and creating a product that will ensure the incoming teams continued success on this incident. 

 OPERATIONS: Yesterday fire personnel were on the ground in northwest corner of the fire preparing for tactical burning intended to strengthen indirect line. Crews mopping up on the south end of the fire were using systematic gridding tactics to locate and remove any remaining heat that could affect the integrity of established control lines and patrolling around structures. 

TODAY: Crews will continue to strengthen control lines along the northern end of the fire in preparation for tactical burning operations that are planned for the coming days. Mop-up, suppression repair and backhaul of unneeded equipment will continue in all areas of the fire. 

WEATHER: A trough settling across the region today will bring a southwesterly flow. Increasing cumulus clouds this afternoon with a 10% chance for Thundershowers, with less than 5% chance of rain.   Maximum Temperature 78-89, Minimum Humidity 23-32%, Winds southerly 7-10, gusts to 15 shifting to northerly late evening. 

TACTICAL BURNING: Two areas of Colville National Forest land at the north end of the fire are in steep inaccessible terrain where threats to firefighter safety prevent direct attack. Indirect line was constructed in anticipation of burning operations intended to remove remaining fuel between the fire edge and control lines. The burns, which were delayed by last week’s rain, are now planned for Saturday and Sunday if conditions are favorable.  They will create smoke that is expected to move mostly to the north during the day but will likely settle in the valleys in the evenings and overnight.