Family’s camping trip turns to ash as Kaiser Canyon Fire spreads across 37,000 acres

NESPELEM, Wash. — Fire officials report the Kaiser Canyon Fire has consumed more than 37,000 acres since it began early Thursday morning, making it a significant threat to the Nespelem area and surrounding communities.

The rapidly spreading fire has already made its way through the town of Nespelem and destroyed several buildings. Currently at zero percent containment, the blaze continues to pose a serious danger to the region. Experts say wind is now pushing the fire northwest, threatening dozens more structures and homes in its path.

So far, no lives have been lost in the fire, though evacuation zones have been established throughout the affected area.

Christina and Toby Campbell, who live full-time in their camper, were staying at Lake Rufus Woods campsite outside of Nespelem when the fire began. They had been in the area for more than two months and witnessed the fire’s rapid growth firsthand.

“It’s terrifying, it’s actually very terrifying because you know like we’ve been here for about two months now a little over two months, you know the people living in these homes out there, you know where the cattle are where the people have got livestock and you’re just watching these areas go up knowing that wildlife and animals and just peoples lives are going to be absolutely devastated,” Christina and Toby Campbell said.

The Campbells watched as the fire grew at an alarming rate. Early Thursday morning, they heard that lightning had sparked the initial blaze. The next notification from Watch Duty indicated the fire had grown to 300 acres, then 2,000 acres within mere hours.

That afternoon, the family observed multiple planes flying directly over their campground, drawing water from Lake Roosevelt to battle the flames. They remained at a safe distance, monitoring the fire’s progression.

At 2 a.m. Friday morning, the power and water at their campsite shut off. When they returned to their vantage point hours later, they found it engulfed in flames. At that point, evacuation became necessary.

The Campbells had planned to travel to Glacier, Montana for a couple of weeks but are now uncertain about their next steps. Despite the uncertainty, their thoughts remain with the people of Nespelem.

“I’m from the midwest and I’m used to the snow and it almost looks like it’s snowing until you realize that it’s ash coming down from the sky and you’re just thinking this can’t be good,” Campbell said.

The family expressed deep concern for the community they had come to know during their stay.

“I’d like to say we’ve made some really good friends, lifelong friends here so your heart really breaks for the tribal people, it’s sad to see,” they said.

Firefighting efforts continue as officials work to contain the blaze and protect remaining structures in the region.