8/17/15 North Star Fire Evening Update (Northeast Washington)

Nespelem, WA – The Colville Tribes to shutdown forests on Wednesday, August 19, 2015.Due to potential for new fire starts, limited firefighting resources, drought conditions, and extreme fire behavior the Industrial Fire Protection Level on the Colville Reservation has been raised to Level 4, GENERAL SHUTDOWN. More information will be distributed to the community on this issue within the next few days. The 25,000 acre fire is burning 12 miles north of Nespelem and progressed north to Dugout Mountain off the reservation, into the Okanagan National Forest. In the evening, to the west, the fire reached the west side of Moses Mountain while an Airboss actively dropped water on the fire. Yesterday officials from MTFC and USFS had an in briefing with the Southwest Area Incident Management Team # 5. Transition of the fire will take place this evening at 2000 hours. Today temperatures increased while winds decrease helping improve fire behavior. It continued to provide opportunities for firefighters with direct and indirect attack. Firefighting priorities include securing the southern-most perimeter of the fire to prevent further spread to the south. Firefighters continued to strengthen and reestablish the line, allowing for progression from the heel along the eastern flank. Tribal Law Enforcement Officers will continue to manage evacuations and necessary emergency road closures. · A Level 1 Evacuation has been issued for several residents in the area of North Star and Gold Lake Road notifying them to beALERT that there is a danger that exists in their area. Twenty homes, ten outbuildings and cattle are threated.

QuickFacts FireSize: Approximately 25,000acres Containment:3% Location:Approximately 12miles north ofNespelem, WA Cause: Under Investigation Resources: 3Type II crews 11Engines 5Dozers 3 Dozer bosses 2 Tenders 1Type III Incident Commander Personnel: 118 Landowner: Colville Confederated Tribes and private property Resources Threatened: 40 homes 35 out buildings Cattle Cultural Resources Commercial Timber Fuels: Timber, extremely dry grass and heavy logging slash

· A Level 3 Evacuation has been issued for residents from Haden Creek to Moses Meadows. Residents were advised that they needed to evacuate immediately. · Current Road Closures are: Moses Meadows – Lyman Lake – OPEN TO LOCAL TRAFFIC ONLY Colby Trail Gold Creek SR 155 to Moses Mountain Peel Creek Park City Loop – West Park City Loop – East Stepstone Shillings Ranch – Gold Lake Road Central Peak – Cache Creek North and South Nanamkin SAFTY IS OUR NUMBER ONE PRIORITYand people are URGED to stay out of the fire area. Heavy smoke could be a major factor while traveling through the area so drive with your headlights on.

Email:mtfcpio@gmail.com Website:inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4524