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STICKPIN POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT REPORT SUMMARY FS-2500-8 Burned-Area Report: Watershed Analysis, Condition, and Response The Stickpin Fire was reported on August 11, 2015, and burned about 53,950 acres along the Kettle Crest between Curlew and Orient communities. Hot, windy conditions combined with very dry fuels caused the fire to grow quickly. Stickpin Fire is the largest fire of the Kettle Complex which also includes the Renner Fire and Graves Mountain Fire. Approximately 48,500 acres burned on the Coleville National Forest. The remaining acres burned on state and private lands. A Forest Service (FS) Burned-Area Report, which included the BAER assessment team’s analysis of the burned areas within the Stickpin Fire and recommended emergency treatments, was recently submitted to the Pacific Northwest Region and its Washington Office by the Forest Supervisor for the Colville National Forest: - 8 sub-watersheds were analyzed and modeled to compare...

STICKPIN POST-FIRE BAER SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED BAER specialists recently completed their data gathering and verification field work in the Stickpin Fire burn areas and finalized a Soil Burn Severity map. Soil Burn Severity grid mapping codes are 1=Unburned/Very Low, 2=Low, 3=Moderate, and 4=High. The map shows that approximately 46% of the 53,950 acres analyzed by the BAER team within the fire perimeters of the Stickpin Fire are either unburned or have a low soil burn severity, while 24% sustained a moderate soil burn severity and 30% received a high soil burn severity. The BAER assessment team used the map and field assessments to estimate potential impacts to human life, safety, and property from storm events and considered emergency stabilization options for those critical resources. BAER team leader John Chatel stated, "The high severity burned watersheds in the Stickpin Fire have the potential for increased runoff, erosion, and debris flows...

Colville NF Stickpin Post-Fire BAER Assessment Report Released The Colville National Forest received $1,976,085 for emergency land stabilization measures on federal lands burned by the Stickpin lightning-caused wildfire. The emergency treatments and activities are designed to decrease possible impacts to downstream values-at-risk from the burned area such as: human health and safety, road and trail infrastructure, water quality, soil productivity, critical cultural resources, and the spread of noxious weeds. NOTE: Attached as a PDF document to this article is the BAER Assessment Team's emergency stabilization report (see right side for the “Colville NF Stickpin Post-Fire BAER 2500-8 Report” in PDF format).

Three Phases of Wildfire Recovery There are three phases of recovery following wildfires on federal lands: Fire Suppression Repair Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Long-Term Recovery and Restoration Fire Suppression Repair is a series of immediate post-fire actions taken to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts resulting from fire suppression activities and usually begins before the fire is contained, and before the demobilization of an Incident Management Team. This work repairs the hand and dozer fire lines, roads, trails, staging areas, safety zones, and drop points used during fire suppression efforts. Emergency Stabilization-Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a rapid assessment of burned watersheds by a BAER team to identify imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System lands and take immediate actions to...

The CentralWashingtonFireRecovery.info website is back online and includes news and updates, resources, and BAER team assessment reports.

Activity Update: At the end of shift today, 10/14/15, the fires in the Kaniksu Complex will be turned over to the jurisdiction of local districts. The Tower fire will be managed by the Newport and Priest Lake Ranger Districts and Washington State DNR. The Grease Creek fire has areas of minimal fire growth on its west and east flanks and is under the protection of the Newport Ranger District. The remaining fires are also under the Newport Ranger District and will be monitored by air. Special Messages/Closures: The TFR (Temporary Flight Restriction) over the Tower fire is lifted as of end of shift today. Area closures remain in effect, and any modifications will be published through the Newport (509-447-3129) and Priest Lake (208-443-2512) Ranger Districts.

Kaniksu Complex UpdatePriest Lake, Idaho (October 7, 2015) – The Tower Fire is currently at 24,638 acres with 82%containment. Crews are monitoring fire that is currently consuming unburned fuels on theinterior of the fire. The Back Mountain hotshot crew is currently working on the northeast activeflank of the fire. The crew will be securing line with the goal to hold and protect. Resourceadvisors have been implementing repair work. This entails the restoration of resources damagedby suppression efforts (dozer line, etc.). A BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) team isbeing assembled to assess damage resulting from the fire itself. Fire intensity and soil stabilitywill be evaluated in order to mitigate the danger of things like mudslides and hazard trees.The Grease Creek Fire is at 706 acres with 20% containment. Indirect line is being built as acontingency for confinement. The containment percentage is influenced by topography of thefire area, which has prevented access and...

September 30, 2015 Chelan and Entiat Ranger District: Fire Suppression Repair Update Chelan, WA Management of the Wolverine, First and Chelan Complex fires returned to local Forest Service Ranger Districts and the Southeast Washington Department of Natural Resources last week. Fire crews and equipment are focused on suppression repair efforts, fixing damage caused during fire suppression activities. Fire crews and heavy equipment are utilized on disturbed areas to speed up recovery and revegetation. Dozer and hand lines are filled in and covered with natural materials, and water bars and drain dips are installed on slopes to slow surface runoff and erosion. Wolverine Fire: On the Chelan Ranger District last week, repair work was completed on the contingency dozer line near the Shady Pass road from Grouse Mountain to Big Hill. Road work will continue on the Shady Pass road in the coming weeks. In the Entiat drainage, repair work was completed in the Tommy Creek area and a crew has...

September 30, 2015 Chelan and Entiat Ranger District: Fire Suppression Repair Update Chelan, WA Management of the Wolverine, First and Chelan Complex fires returned to local Forest Service Ranger Districts and the Southeast Washington Department of Natural Resources last week. Fire crews and equipment are focused on suppression repair efforts, fixing damage caused during fire suppression activities. Fire crews and heavy equipment are utilized on disturbed areas to speed up recovery and revegetation. Dozer and hand lines are filled in and covered with natural materials, and water bars and drain dips are installed on slopes to slow surface runoff and erosion. Wolverine Fire: On the Chelan Ranger District last week, repair work was completed on the contingency dozer line near the Shady Pass road from Grouse Mountain to Big Hill. Road work will continue on the Shady Pass road in the coming weeks. In the Entiat drainage, repair work was completed in the Tommy Creek area and a crew has...

Today will be the final update for the Kettle Complex Fire. Command will be transferred to a local Type 4 team on Tuesday September 29th, at 0700. Today on the fire is what is called a shadow day. The new incoming team that takes command tomorrow will shadow their current counterparts on the fire, getting the lay of the land, learning the safety hazards, and all other current information available. A discussion will be had, involving the best plans on moving forward to complete this operation. Today the fires are all in patrol and monitor mode. During this process, the area will also be checked for any suppression repair work that might have been missed. There will be two 20 person hand crews remaining, along with a five engine task force. With warm daytime temperatures, and lower RHs, there will continue to be smokes seen on the fire, until a major rain and or snow event happens. The weather over the fire area today is forecasted to be mostly sunny. Temperatures will range...

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. It is planned that command will be transferred to a local Type 4 team on Tuesday September 29th, at 0700. Briefing this morning was held in the yurt that will be the only structure left in camp as of this afternoon. This goes to show how the number of firefighters has decreased over the last several days. It was 36 degrees outside, with a wind chill factor of 32, thus the reason for leaving a yurt for briefing, as the weather will only continue to deteriorate as the season progresses. Today crews will be finishing up all suppression repair work. There is about 1 mile of road left on the Renner fire still to be graded. The crews that are remaining will be monitoring and patrolling the fire. With warm daytime temperatures, and lower RHs, there will continue to be smokes seen on the fire, until a major rain and or snow event happens. All smokes that were seen yesterday were well...

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. It is planned that command will be transferred to a local Type 4 team on Tuesday September 29th, at 0700. At briefing this morning there were less than 50% of the number of firefighters that were here when the team assumed command of this fire. IC Shawn Sheldon stated that even though our numbers are smaller, we still have a job to complete. Be proud of what you are doing, and let’s finish strong. Crews today will continue efforts to complete the suppression repairs of the fire area. Work is still being done on the east side of Stickpin Fire, north of Boulder Creek Rd, along with some road grading dealing with the Renner Fire. It is projected that all areas of the complex, except the east edge of Stickpin, will be in patrol and monitor mode as of end of shift tonight. Today’s weather over the fire will be partly cloudy with a 20% chance of light rain showers. The fire...

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. It is anticipated that command will be transferred to a Type 4 team on Tuesday September 29 th Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon told the crews at briefing this morning, that we need to be slow and steady, as we finish the operations that are assigned to us. This will help ensure that we continue with firefighter safety, but yet produce quality work. As the final days of the suppression repairs are getting near, remember there are still dangers out in the field. Crews continue efforts to complete the suppression repairs of the fire area. Chipping, brushing, snagging, back hauling of equipment and road repair are still being done daily. It is estimated that by end of shift today, it will be about 90% complete. A Bear Team (Burned Area Emergency Response) is beginning to assess the area at this time. Their job is to look for areas that will be subject to soil erosion, and...

See Closure Maps under Maps section COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST Three Rivers Ranger District Kettle Falls, Washington Order No. 15-21-15 FOREST ORDER Special Order Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited on designated portions of National Forest System land and trails within the boundary shown on the attached map, on the Three Rivers Ranger District of the Colville National Forest. 1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health or safety. For the purpose of this order, it is prohibited to occupy or be upon National Forest System lands north of 6110000-2030000 South Fork of Boulder Creek roads to the Canadian border, west of highway 395 and East of State Route 2l(Curlew Highway) and the Southern section North of State Route 20 (Sherman Pass Highway, west of 2000220 (Lane Creek road) east of the 2000450 (Graves Mountain Road and South of the 9565000 (Deadman...

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. It is anticipated that command will be transferred to a Type 4 team on Sunday September 27th. At this morning’s briefing, IC Shawn Sheldon said that we still have a few days of hard work left before leaving this fire to the next team. Let’s not get complacent in our actions, and finish with a great safety record, along with leaving the complex in good shape for our fellow firefighters. Crews will continue in their efforts to finish the rehabilitation of the fires. There is still, chipping, back hauling of equipment, and road repair going on in numerous divisions. By Saturday plans are to have all but 3 divisions of the fire be in patrol status. Weather will be partly sunny today. Temperatures will range from 57-76 degrees on various areas of the fires. Minimum RHs will be in the 29-35% range. Winds will be out of the South at 8-12 mph, with gusts to 18 on the ridgetops....

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is nearing completion and most of it will likely be completed this weekend. It has been the primary activity occurring on the Tunk Block Fire over the last several days. These activities seek to mitigate resource concerns caused by fireline construction and the use of roads to access the fire. As much as possible, fire and land managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers and minimize gully and surface erosion. Approximately 187 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry today. There is a chance of gusty winds in the afternoon ahead of a cold front that may pass through the fire area on Friday morning. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and...

North Star Fire: Fire crews have been focusing their activities on suppression repair. The suppression repair is in full swing and good progress has been made over the last several days. Approximately 283 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the North Star Fire. Most of the suppression repair should be completed by Sunday. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry today. There is a chance of gusty winds in the afternoon ahead of a cold front that may pass through the fire area on Friday morning. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires are closed. See the maps at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3854418.pdf and http://tinyurl.com/OkaWen-Closure-Map for more specific...

Winthrop, WA—Command of the McFarland/Black Canyon Fire was transferred to a Type 3 Incident Management Team operating out of the Methow Valley Ranger District in Winthrop, Washington on Monday. About 70 firefighters continue working on the Black Canyon Fire, which is contained on all flanks except along St. Luise Creek. While fire growth is minimal, smoke will be visible as the fire continues finding pockets of vegetation that are receptive to burning in the afternoon when weather conditions are drier and warmer. “Heavier traffic will continue to be present on the roads in the Gold Creek area in the mornings and evenings,” said Chad Bresnahan, Incident Commander. “We know this is an impact to residents and appreciate the extra caution and patience.” Fire camp has been closed down and logistical support, such as food and sleeping arrangements, is being provided out of the local community restaurants, grocery stores and lodging facilities. Those firefighters who remain...

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon said at briefing this morning, that the main focus of the job right now is suppression repair. We need to restore the forest as close as possible to the same condition as prior to the fire. This involves in part, repairing or removing, bulldozer lines, hand lines, safety zones, brush piles, and snags where appropriate. The fire has the capacity to weaken trees, both internally by burning inside the trunk, which hollows them out which isn’t readily visible, and reducing and loosening their root systems. With any wind or rainfall, the likely hood of them coming down increases. Trees along the roadways are being evaluated daily, for public and firefighter safety. There will be a meeting tonight to discuss when and what areas around the fires can be reopened. The USFS realizes how dependent the local people are, to their firewood cutting, to heat...

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is progressing and is the primary focus of activities on the Tunk Block Fire. These activities seek to mitigate resource concerns caused by fireline construction and the use of roads to access the fire. As much as possible, fire and land managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers and minimize gully and surface erosion. Approximately 187 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry with light winds today and tomorrow. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires...