Fires held back by fire fighters

Two fires separated by a couple of miles and a day scrambled local fire fighters early this week to protect property.

Brisk winds pushed a fire Sunday night perilously close to Lone Pine homes and briefly brought on a level-three evacuation notice for that area as well as River Drive in Coulee Dam.

Monday, fire marshals were combing the area trying to determine the cause of the 15-acre blaze.

The fire started shortly after 7 p.m. and lit up the skies as flames worked their way through grass, sage and bitterbrush.

The quick work of firefighters from several agencies kept the flames from crossing the road into the residential area of Lone Pine and they were able to later isolate the fire before wind whipped it into Coulee Dam.

Units from the Colville Confederated Tribes, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Reclamation and local districts all responded to the blaze.

Flames came within 15-20 yards of Lone Pine residences and the old Highway Tire building. Strategically placed firefighters prevented damage to structures.

Two dozers and six engines were at the scene along with some 30 personnel.

Downed power lines caused a power outage for a number of homes in the area and Nespelem Valley Electric was working to restore service.

Dozers cleared fire lines to protect threatened structures, and highway 155 was closed and traffic diverted to the Lower River Access Road.

The fire was declared 100 percent contained late Sunday.

On Monday evening, another fire broke out near a house at milepost 33 on SR 155 near the rock cut, again causing authorities to close the highway.

The fire had burned about 200 acres as of Tuesday afternoon, Fire Information Officer Alan Hoffmeister said. The fire was considered contained but “certainly not controlled,” he said. The road closure would be reconsidered late in the day. A detour through the Lower River Road was available.

Two 20-person crews, five engines, a helicopter and a Fire Boss aircraft were on the fire.

The causes of both fires are under investigation.

Another fire near Keller broke out Monday about noon, Hoffmeister said. The John Tom Fire had burned 15-20 acres.