Regional News

Williams Flats and Lundstrom Butte Fires Update 8-7

Aug 07, 2019

Special Announcements:

The Level 1 Evacuation has now been elevated to a Level 3 Evacuation Notification – “Leave Now” by the Colville Tribes Emergency Services and the Ferry County Sheriff’s Office.

While homes are not immediately in danger, the only road out may be cut off by fire. Now is the time to evacuate. Anyone who remains in the area may not be able to leave once the fire reaches the Nine Mile-Hellgate Road.

The evacuation zone is as follows: From the intersection of Little Nine Mile Creek with the Nine Mile-Hellgate Road, draw a straight line west to the Whitestone Lookout. All areas south of that line are now at a Level 3 Evacuation level—-”Leave Now”. All residents of the area are advised that for their own safety, they need to leave now.

The Colville Tribes Emergency Services requests evacuees go to the Inchelium Community Center and check in. If they need a shelter, a place to stay overnight will be arranged at or near the Community Center.

For a full description see the Williams Flats Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/williams.flats.39) and the Colville Tribes Emergency Services Facebook page.

Williams Flats Fire

Acreage: 21,190

Containment: 25%

Current Fire Information: The Williams Flats Fire is burning on Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and Washington Department of Natural Resources protected lands. The fire was active overnight on the northeast and southeasterly flanks. On the northwestern flank, the fire moved over Whitestone Ridge. Containment lines on the west flank have tied into the Nine Mile-Hellgate Road with portions of the line being secure and placed in patrol status.

Today, firefighters will work to establish a safe anchor point for fireline construction on the southeast flank. The goal for firefighters along the north flank is to tie containment line to Friedlander meadow. Line construction is on-going and additional resources were moved into this area to assist in securing the southeast flank. Dozers will continue to construct direct fire line toward the fire’s northeast corner. Firefighters will be supported with water drops throughout the day. The Structure Protection Group is monitoring structures adjacent to the Columbia River on the eastern flank of the fire and prepared to respond if necessary.

Challenges firefighters are facing include very high temperatures and low relative humidity; active fire behavior; reduced visibility; steep, rocky terrain and wildlife dangers in the form of snakes and bears.

Initial attack firefighting resources have been identified and prepared to respond to new fire starts.

Lundstrom Butte Fire

Acreage: 10 – Final amount of fire area

Containment: 100%

Current Fire Information: Securing of containment lines is complete. The fire has been put into patrol status.

Resources: Total personnel assigned – 876: 8-type 1 hand crews, 8-type 2 IA hand crews, 6-type 2 hand crews, 5-heavy helicopters, 2- medium helicopters, 1-light helicopter, 26-engines, 12-dozers, 2-masticator, 4-skidgenes, and 23-water tenders. Additional firefighting resources continue to arrive.

Weather: A heat advisory is in effect for today.

Today’s weather will be similar to yesterday. Temperatures will be between 95 to 100 degrees; relative humidity of 10-15%; and winds expected to be less than 7 mph from the west/northwest.

Air Quality: For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality see https://wasmoke.blogspot.com

Closures and Evacuations: Refer to the Special Announcements section for information on evacuations. Multiple roads are closed to public including: Kuehne, Nine Mile-Hellgate Road, Refrigerator Canyon, and Canteen Creek Roads. One residence remains under a Level 2 evacuation (Goat/Hellgate Ranch). Closures are in place to provide safety to the firefighters and the public, so please respect those closures.

Helicopters are dipping and fire boss planes are scooping from nearby Lake Roosevelt for suppression efforts and need space to work. The public is asked to avoid these aircraft activity areas on the water. The area is being patroled by the the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation Law Enforcement.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) of 10 miles surrounds the Williams Flats and Lundstrom Fires. The area is required for the large aircraft to safely manuever when dropping retardant. Please refer to the Notice to Airmen before flying near the area. Any drone (UAS) sighted within the TFR prevents aerial firefighting resources from providing support to the firefighters on the ground. Any person(s) identified flying a drone or UAS in a TFR could be subject to a $20,000 fine.