Fire update: Extreme fire behavior on North Star fire today

NORTH STAR FIRE UPDATE

Thursday 08/27/2015 –10:00PM

Acres: 179,834                                    Start Date: August 13, 2015                                                                         

Cause: Under investigation                 Location: Approximately 12 miles north of Nespelem, WA.

Containment: 22%                             Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass and understory

Structures Threatened: 2000 +         Total personnel: 808

Community Meeting Tomorrow, August 28, 2015, 4:00 PM

Republic Elementary School, 30306 East Hwy 20 Republic, WA 99166.

Today’s Actions: Extreme fire behavior was exhibited throughout the 149.5 mile perimeter of the fire. Dozer lines were constructed and preparation for future burn-out operations continued in the Aeneas Valley, along Highway 21 and areas south of Republic, enhancing structure protection for the area. The area along Highway 21 from Cache Creek north to South Nanamkin was put on a Level II evacuation notice. Crews back-burned around structures in the Moses Meadow area. Type 1 helicopters continuously delivered water drops in support of ground crews. International firefighters from Australia have arrived today to help with the firefighting efforts.  The Tunk Block Fire burned intensely today, sending up columns of smoke and closing Highway 155 between Omak and Nespelem.

Tomorrow’s Actions: Back-burning operations will be conducted from Highway 155 East to Owhi Lake to protect structures and the Town of Nespelem. With strong southwest winds and low humidity in the forecast, fire crew efforts will be heavily focused on the protection of the Republic and communities along the Highway 21 corridor. The focus will be on structure protection, building direct and indirect lines and using burn-out operations, if weather permits. Structure protection and support for residences continues in all areas. A Community Meeting will be held in Republic tomorrow afternoon.

EVACUATIONS:

Stage 3 evacuations for Copper Lakes/Copper Mountain Area, Mikray Place, Mule Deer Road, White Tail Flats Road, Roby Ridge Road, Eddy Road, and Swan Lake Road south of Republic.

Highway 21 from the Colville Indian Reservation boundary north to McMann Creek.

Stage 3 evacuations are still in effect for residents in Moses Meadows Community, Haden Creek, including Owhi Flats, Disautel, along Highway 155, all of Aeneas Valley and West Fork.

CLOSURES:   Highway 155 is closed from Nespelem to Omak, due to Tunk Block Fire activity.

Okanogan – Wenatchee National Forests closure east of Tonasket and south of highway 20.  

Highway 21 from Bridge Creek Road north to the Reservation boundary is closed. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas are closed to the public due to extreme fire danger.

Volunteer Information: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/WildfireVolunteer

FIRE INFORMATION:

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4524/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/North-Star-Fire/719347344836918