OKANOGAN COUNTY, Wash. — A rapidly spreading lightning-caused wildfire on the Colville Reservation has triggered multiple evacuation orders across northeastern Washington.
According to Okanogan County Emergency Management and the Northeast Washington Interagency Management Team, the Kaiser Canyon Fire has consumed 2,170 acres since it started July 16, with containment at 0%. Approximately 200 firefighters are engaged in direct attack suppression using hand crews, brush trucks, air support, and dozers.
Evacuation Orders
Level 3 (GO NOW!)
School Loop Road and Agency Campus (Nespelem)
Evacuate immediately north on State Route 155 toward Omak
Buffalo Lake Road, Rebecca Lake, and Belvedere (Nespelem)
Fire is active south of Buffalo Lake Road and on both sides of SR 155 near Mile Post 39, moving northResidents south of Mile Post 38: Evacuate toward Coulee DamResidents north of Mile Post 39: Evacuate toward Nespelem
Level 2 (GET SET)
Area west of SR 155, north of Nespelem to the Catholic Cemetery
Conditions may worsen rapidlyBe prepared to leave at a moment’s notice
City of Nespelem north on both sides of SR 155 to Jackson Ranch
Conditions may worsen rapidlyBe prepared to leave at a moment’s notice
Road Closures
Buffalo Lake Road is closed from Agency to Rebecca Lake RoadState Route 155 is closed between Convalescent Boulevard and Elmer City Access Road
Emergency Shelters for Residents
Omak Long House, 25 Mission Road, Omak, WACoulee Dam High School Gym, 503 Crest Drive, Coulee Dam, WA
Animal Shelters
Ridge Riders Rodeo Grounds, 2209 Alcan Road NE, Grand Coulee, WAOkanogan County Fairgrounds, 175 Rodeo Trail, Okanogan, WA
Power Outage Update
According to Nespelem Valley Electric Cooperative (NVEC), the utility is working to restore power to the region following a lightning strike that damaged Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) transmission lines.
NVEC crews are standing by and ready to restore service to affected members as soon as BPA completes repairs and restores transmission service to their delivery point.
The utility apologizes for the outage and thanks customers for their patience during this challenging time.
Additional Alert
A Level 1 advisory has been issued for a wildfire between Danzell Mountain and Hunter Mountain near Methow. Residents in that area should be aware of their surroundings and be prepared to take action if conditions change.
Monitor Okanogan County Emergency Management Active Incidents page for the latest updates.
