Fire crews protect more structures after winds

Strong winds Sunday night and early Monday pushed the Summit Trail Fire west of Inchelium to the northeast, south and southeast, igniting large spot fires on Brush and Tungsten Mountains.

The blaze has torched 40,608 acres and is 35% contained.

Along with the 376-acre Upper Lime Creek Fire, 421 personnel were engaged in the fight to quell it.

Colville Tribal Police issued more Level 2 and 3 evacuations while fire crews and heavy equipment protected structures in the new areas, along with air support. Priorities Tuesday included protecting homes at Barnaby Creek, an update from Northwest Incident Management Team 10 Tuesday morning.

The fire started July 12 from lightning and is expected to be contained about Oct. 31.

“Sustained effort” by crews working the 58,276-acreWhitmore Fire west of Nespelem increased containment to 60% and the fire did not grow at all on Monday, reported the commander of Northwest Incident Management Team 12.

Monday, firefighters and an engine secured structures at the Mount Whitmore Lookout, mopping up the area as heat sources remained creeping and smoldering nearby. Fire crews wrapped the historic lookout with structure wrap, using a material similar to what is used for emergency fire shelters to protect from radiant heat and burning embers.

The Chuweah Fire is holding at 36,752 acres and is 98% contained.