Over 400 structures are threatened by a fire burning just a few miles west of Kettle Falls in Northeastern Washington.
Steve Jackson has more.
The Boyds fire, which started late Saturday, has burned about 2900 acres, and is zero percent contained.
Fire information officer Daniel Omdal says over 150 homes were put on mandatory level 3 evacuation status, and many folks had to leave without any warning.
“We had folks who came in here and had their dinner on the stove,” said Omdal. “And the power went out, and so they didn’t know if, or could remember if they turned the stove off when they evacuated the home, and so they’re anxious about what happens when the power comes on.”
The fire is burning just across the Columbia River from Kettle Falls, about 3 miles distance from the town. None of the evacuated homes are in the city limits.
Omdal says despite heavy smoke and nearby conflagration, the townspeople seem to be taking it in stride:
“I don’t get a sense that anyone is freaking out,” said Omdal. “This is a community that is familiar with fire, the Bisby mountain fire burned in that vicinity a couple years ago, we had the north boulder fire just north of here three years ago, so these are communities that are used to fire.”
Meanwhile the fire has caused traffic issues on the west side of the river.
State Route 20 is closed both directions from Milepost 337, atInchelium Road to Milepost 342. Hwy. 395 is reduced to one lane from Barney’s Junction to Kamloops Island.
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We continue to watch several other wildfires in eastern Washington. Jeremy Burnham has the latest.
Two fires we watched closely last week are winding down. Command of the Angel Springs Fire near Davenport has been transferred back to the Washington Department of Natural Resources, and that department will form a post-fire plan. The fire took four residences and is 98 percent contained.
The Silver Lake Fire near Cheney is contained. Mop up work continues.
Three fires continue to burn in Stevens County near the Canadian border. The largest of the trio is the Horns Mountain Fire. It grew about 150 acres overnight and is now burning about 838 acres.
Crews have been able to hold the nearby West Hubbard fire to nine acres and the Grizz fire to five acres. Two hundred and twenty-nine firefighters, three helicopters and six planes are currently fighting the fires, which are threatening commercial timber areas. No road or forest closures are currently in place, and the fire isn’t threatening any homes, but authorities do ask that you avoid the area.
Lightning storms overnight on August 10th helped start 11 fires in and around Ferry County. The most serious of those fires is the Kelly Mountain Fire, which is currently burning 28 acres and is zero percent contained. The fire is located approximately 12 miles north of Republic. Authorities say there are no structures or residences threatened at this time.
A fire in the Tri Cities burned down five houses and damaged several others. The 5,000 acre Bofer Canyon Fire is now 100 percent contained. Crews are still investigating the cause.
Over the past few weeks, I have talked to several fire officials across the area, and they all have a similar message: Obey all fire bans and restrictions, and practice extreme caution in this time of hot, dry conditions.
