Fires still dangerous

As of 10 a.m. Tuesday morning, Ferry County evacuation levels were reduced. There were no longer any Level 3 evacuation areas. The area from Deadman Creek Road to Nancy Creek Road was changed to Level 2, the area south of Nancy Creek Road to Level 1, the area east of Hwy 395 to Level 1, the area West of Highway 395 from Boulder Creek Road south to Deadman Creek Road to Level 2 and the area north of Boulder Creek Road to Humes Rd/Eslick Road to Level 1.

Scattered, light showers continued across the Kettle Complex Monday. Rainfall amounts measure approximately one-third of an inch toward the north end of the Stickpin Fire. The south end of the Renner Fire and Kettle Falls area received approximately two one-hundreths of an inch. Several disturbances will move through the fire area this week resulting in chances for afternoon showers with the possibility of thunderstorms on Thursday and Friday.

Fire Behavior Analysist Brad Washa cautioned that the rain the fire area has received this week is only a season-slowing event, and not a season-ending event. He referenced the 2003 and 2006 years, when large fires occurred after a similar moist weather pattern in the Ferry County area. Though fire activity has decreased, there is still the potential for open flame occurring in stump holes and heavy fuels with some smoldering occurring.

Stickpin Fire: The fire has not grown in two days and remains 2.9 miles (4.7 kilometers) south of the Canadian border. Firefighters who have been working the night shift on the Renner fire have transitioned to day shift and will be joining the fire crews from British Columbia today as they work to construct and reinforce handline on the northeast corner of the Stickpin Fire. Fire crews and heavy equipment operators continue to hold and improve the fire lines on the west side.

Renner Fire: Firefighters continue to strengthen and improve firelines in the Deadman and Matsen Creek areas. Burnout operations to secure the northern perimeter have been delayed due to recent rainfall. Hand crews will continue to take advantage of the moderation in fire behavior to both improve fireline and mop up along the US Highway 395 corridor.

Graves Mountain Fire: Where accessible, a dozer-built fireline has circled the burned area north of South Deadman Creek Road. Fire crews are utilizing natural barriers whenever possible and will continue to navigate steeper terrain in order to dig fire containment lines.

Roy Road Fire: The 120-acre Roy Road Fire is in monitor status.

Closure information: Trees continue to fall across the Deer Creek-Boulder Creek County Road 602. For public safety, this road remains closed. The Kettle Complex, in partnership with Ferry County, has personnel dedicated to clearing hazard trees from the roadsides. See Colville National Forest closures due to fire activity on their website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/colville.

On Tuesday, firefighters continued making excellent progress. The weather remained favorable, and crews were able to take advantage of conditions to keep the fire within the fire perimeter. Crews will be out to continue the mop-up process Wednesday, which remains difficult due to steep terrain. Firefighters will work with specialized crews that fell damaged trees near the fire line. Aircraft continued to assist of the fire.

Hunting season began Tuesday, and fire managers throughout the region reminded hunters that conditions are still extremely dry. Those planning on being outdoors, are asked to use extreme caution. A statewide burn ban remains in place.

The Tucannon fire started August 29, 2015 at 9:30 a.m., approximately 20 miles east of Dayton. Local firefighters did an excellent job fighting a fast moving fire in steep terrain. Approximately 40 structures were initially threatened, and a level 3 evacuation order was issued for residents within a two mile radius around the fire. Aircraft assisted with the initial attack of the fire and no structures were lost. Cause of the fire in under investigation.

The fire is 70 percent contained and covers 2,630 acres (acreage reduced due to more accurate mapping) located 20 miles east of Dayton in brush, timber and grass with steep terrain.

Temperatures are mild and dry. The number of personnel fighting the fire is 149. Aircraft, engines, water tenders and a hand crew along with a type-3 incident management team are also involved.

Tucannon Road is open to traffic; Hartsock Grade and Blind Grade Roads remain closed to traffic as firefighters continue to work in these areas. All evacuation orders are now at a level 1 in both Columbia and Garfield counties. No injuries have been reported.