Fire near Keller in mop-up stage

The Devil’s Elbow Complex fires burning north of Keller are mostly contained but fire lines were expected to be tested by winds, information from the fire management team said Tuesday.

Containment lines have been cut by dozers or forged by hand crews around all but the steepest, rocky slopes, forming a perimeter around the 26,428-acre burn on the Colville Indian Reservation.

All evacuation notices have been dropped to level one, meaning that “residents should be aware that there is a fire in the area and be cautious of firefighters, traffic and remaining smoke.” But 41 residences are still considered threatened.

At one point, more than 900 fire fighters were involved in the fight against the fire caused by lightening on Aug. 2. Those numbers will be reduced to about 90 over the next day or two.

Recent rains helped the fight, but the area was hit with lightning again Tuesday morning on the northeastern ridge, with no rain.

Last night, a thank-you potluck dinner was held for fire fighters at the at the Nespelem Pow Wow Grounds Arbor.

The cost of fighting the fire is currently estimated at more than $11 million.