8/10/2014 Devil's Elbow Complex Update

Firefighters work day and night to finish containment lines
along the west and east perimeters of the Devil’s Elbow Fire Complex before a forecasted storm arrives Tuesday bringing dry lightning and strong winds

Nespelem, Wash., -- Nearly 700 firefighters from around the Nation are now working day and night to surround the 17,098-acre Devil’s Elbow Fire Complex with fire line -- clearing wide areas by hand, using dozers where feasible, and brushing out existing roads. The fire lines are constructed a quarter to half mile away from the Fire’s flanks to allow the areas between the Fire and fire lines to be burned out.

Many miles of fire line have been constructed and burned out since the Fire started on Saturday, August 2, 2014 by three separate lightning strikes. The three fires have now merged. A wide, burned-out containment line has been constructed along the west perimeter, and is expected to stop fire movement to the west and south.

The lack of wind today caused an accumulation of smoke from the fire and burnouts in the Complex and in towns as far away as Omak, Republic, Inchelium, and Grand Coulee.

There are two perimeters that still require hard work to finalize containment lines and burn out to stop the aggressive and fast-moving fire: the head of the fire, which is now approaching and spotting over Twentyfive Mile Creek, and the eastern flank, which is approaching the prepared containment line along Bridge Creek, Keno Mine Trail and rocky, treeless areas. Because of the intense heat, a variety of firefighting aircraft were used Saturday and Sunday to cool and slow it down. Small spots have been held in check by dozers and firefighters.

Work will be done tonight and tomorrow to continue constructing, reinforcing, and widening the containment lines along these two portions of the Fire’s perimeter. The area inside these lines will be burned out at night when winds calm down and temperatures drop. The Bridge Creek Road that accesses Twin Lakes and Inchelium area may be closed if it is unsafe for travelers.

Temperatures Monday will be hot and the fuel conditions extremely dry. The work to complete fire lines will be difficult during the day when up-canyon winds increase fire activity. Firefighters and fire managers anticipate the arrival of a dry lightning storm on Tuesday that will bring scattered showers, but not enough rain to slow the fire’s movement. The lightning is expected to start new fires throughout the Colville Reservation, and initial attack firefighters and hotshot crews will be used to help tribal firefighting crews catch them before they spread. Wetting rains are expected Wednesday and Thursday over the Complex, which will help the fire fighting efforts.