8/14/2014 Devil's Elbow Fire Complex

Nespelem, Wash., Highway 21 in the vicinity of the Devil’s Elbow Fire isnow open to limited public use. The eight mile section previously closed on Highway 21 from Bridge Creek Road to Anderson Creek Road is now open during daytime from 0600 to 2000. The road will be closed from 2000 to 0600 each night until further notice. Fire activity and heavy firefighting traffic continue to be present along Hwy 21. Pilot cars will escort vehicles on this section of Hwy 21. Drivers are urged to use extreme caution.

A major frontal passage moved through the area last night bringing cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity. Continued winds quickly dried the 2/100ths inch of rain received. Additional isolated showers are expected to move through the area over the next two days bringing the chance of showers and lightning.

Smoldering, isolated torching and creeping fire has provided favorable conditions for direct suppression tactics along most of the fire perimeter. Previously burned areas continue to smolder and consume large dry fuels. Short range spotting is being handled by ground and air resources. Rolling debris and backing fire will reach the indirect line along South Nanamkin Creek over the next 3-7 days.

Quick Facts

Fire Size: Approximately 26,349 acres

Containment: 15%

Location: 10 miles north of Keller, Washington

Threats: Approximately 150 homes and 90 other structures threatened; 1 non-occupied home and two out-buildings burned

Evacuation notices and closures have changed as of 0600 on August 14. Highway 21 in the Vicinity of the Devil’s Elbow Fire is now open to limited public use.

•  Fire activity and heavy firefighting traffic continue to be present along Highway 21.
• Pilot cars from Washington Department of Transportation will escort vehicles along the previously closed section of Hwy 21. This eight mile section of Hwy 21, from Bridge Creek Road to Anderson Creek Road, was previously in a Level 3 Evacuation.
• This section of Hwy 21 will only be open during daytime from 0600-2000. The road will be closed from 2000 to 0600 each night until further notice.

Evacuation Notifications for Homeowners:

 Level 3 - Evacuation status continues on East San Poil Road. Road is closed to public, including residents.

Level 2 – Be ready notification along Hwy 21 from Cache Creek Road to Anderson Creek Road.

Level 1 - Alert notification along Hwy 21 from the Twentyone Mile Road to Anderson Creek.

General Area Closures:  Only fire fighters and law enforcement personnel are allowed in the following AREAs. There are barricades posted at some of the major access roads.

• The Central Peak AREA that is west of Hwy 21, north of the Cache Creek Road, east of the Central Peak Road and south of the South Nanamkin Creek Road.
• The Keno Mine and Thirty Mile AREA contained by Bridge Creek Road to the south; Upper Bridge Creek Road, Red Thunder Cutoff, and the Thirty Mile Road to the east; and the Twenty-five Mile Road to the north.