8/18/2014 Devil's Elbow Complex

Devil’s Elbow Complex “in a good place” as fuels dry

and winds return

Nespelem, Wash., -   With 60% containment, firefighters have nearly contained the Devil’s Elbow Complex fire at 26,428 acres.

They continue to secure fire lines, gridding and mopping up to ensure

that there is no heat within 100 feet of the line or 300 feet of houses. In some areas, hose lays with hundreds of sprinkler heads have been set up to provide water to cool and extinguish any remaining fire.

Yesterday, an isolated thunder cell dropped from 1/3 to ½ inch of rain on the northern portion of the fire.  This will slow its drying and provide more opportunity for the crews that are improving direct fire lines next to quiet portions of the fire. A dry cold front is expected to bring wind gusts of 25-30 mph to exposed ridges tomorrow. The southern parts of the fire didn’t receive any rain yesterday, so continue to be more flammable.

This morning, Fire Behavior Analyst Boyd Lebeda encouraged firefighters to be attentive to places where smoldering debris could fall or roll down steep slopes and spread the fire again.

Evacuation Levels will be evaluated for reduction following the cold front passage.  Burned area rehabilitation is occurring to stabilize slopes and secure areas around structures.

Deputy Incident Commander Brian Gales also urged firefighters to maintain a high level of awareness because seemingly quiet fires can quickly renew their activity and because many accidents occur as demobilized firefighters travel back to their home units.

Most of the resources currently fighting this fire will be demobilized over the next few days as work is completed, leaving approximately