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NORTH STAR FIRE UPDATE
Friday 08/21/2015 –11:00PM
Acres: 108,000 Start Date: August 13, 2015
Cause: Under investigation Location: Approximately 12 miles north of Nespelem, WA.
Containment: 0% Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass and understory
Structures Threatened: 2000 + Total personnel: 338
Community Meeting Saturday, August 22, 2015
4:00 PM Lake Roosevelt High School, 503 Civic Way, Coulee Dam, WA 99116.
Today’s Actions: Crews evaluated opportunities to build direct and indirect lines using natural barriers and roads around the fire perimeter. Fire operations supported structure and infrastructure protection and used burnouts as appropriate and practical in all affected communities. Extreme fire behavior was observed today. Structure assessment continued in the Aeneas Valley area. The Tunk Block Fire has merged with the North Star Fire just to the north of Moses Meadow. The fire displayed extreme behavior with wind driven runs, group torching and spotting. Though many structures are still threatened, no structures have been lost in the North Star Fire.
Tomorrow’s Actions: Forecasted fire behavior for tomorrow has potential for large fire growth and very active fire behavior. Constuction of direct and indirect dozer lines north of Nespelem will continue. Fire managers will assess road systems and conduct burnout operations where feasible. Crews will continue protection of critical communications sites and reinforce firelines to enhance community protection. Smoke senitive indiviuals should take precautionary measures and stay inside when possible.
EVACUATIONS:
Stage 3 evacuations are still in effect for all of Aeneas Valley.
The area northeast of Nespelem is still under Level 3 evacuations.
Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas are closed to the public due to extreme fire danger.
CLOSURES:
Highway 21 from Bridge Creek Road north to the Reservation boundary is closed; Highway 155 is closed from Nespelem west to Omak.”