A group of four wildfires have blazed through the past week in northeastern Washington, destroying over 8,000 acres of land and prompting widespread evacuations. At only two percent containment, the current estimated cost for these wildfires is $1.8 million.

According to the most recent update from InciWeb, posted late on Friday, Aug. 7, the Devil's Elbow Complex Fire is burning through the Colville Indian Reservation. The blazes included in the complex were first reported on Aug. 3, but officials say it's likely they initially ignited on Aug. 2 when a lightning-infused weather system moved through the area.

Three of the fires, including the Cub Creek Fire, the Central Peak Fire, and the Deadhorse Fire, are doing a number on the San Poil River Valley, approximately 11 miles north of Keller, Washington. The fourth fire, dubbed the Timm Brothers Ranch Fire, is burning near the Columbia River, approximately 20 miles north of Nespelam, Washington.

Upwards of 100 homes and structures are currently threatened by the triple-threat inferno near Keller and as such, many evacuations and road closures have been put into place. Because of the fire activity being anticipated in the coming days, residents and others in the area are advised that these evacuations and closures are subject to change at any time and should be continually monitored until the fire is contained.

As of late Friday, Level Three evacuations are in place on Hwy. 21 from Capoose Creek to the South Nanamkin Road. Level One and Two evacuations are also in place along Hwy. 21 north and south of the aforementioned evacuated regions.

According to officials, a Level Three evacuation means that all residents in the area should leave their homes and seek shelter elsewhere immediately, as danger to the area is current and imminent.

Level Two evacuations are issued to advise residents to be ready to relocate to a shelter or home of a friend or family member living outside of the affected area, as there is significant danger to the area around them. Level One evacuations are voluntary. This level evacuation urges residents to be alert to fire danger in their immediate surroundings and should monitor local media outlets for updates on evacuation status.

In addition to the evacuations, there are several road closures in the affected area near fire as of late on Friday. Hwy. 21 is closed from Bridge Creek Road to the gravel pit just north of the North Nanamkin Road. The San Poil River Road is closed north of the Bridge Creek Road. The Central Peak area along with the roads that access it are also all closed. Check back in with us at Latin Post for the latest updates as firefighters continue to battle this complex.

Officials issued a news release on Friday, informing residents and others that two massive pyro-cumulus clouds were able to be seen above the Devil's Elbow Fire Complex, which are the result of "intense release of heat" from fire fronts at the north and south ends of the affected area.

Dean Warner, fire behavior analyst for The Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4 has confirmed that these pyro-cumulus clouds are caused by very dry fuels burning in very dry areas.

"[Additionally] the fire intensity is ... increased by instability in the upper atmosphere," Warner said.

Serving on Warner's Team as Incident Commander, Larry Nickey is assuring residents that firefighters are well prepared for the current level of intensity of the blaze. Preparations have focused on building fire lines at long distances from the threatening fire fronts.

"Our goal is to burn out the areas between the fire and the fire lines and allow the fire to burn to the blackened area ... [and] to keep the fire within the anticipated footprint," Nickey said.

Beginning Saturday, firefighters will begin burning along prepared fire lines at various locations along the fire perimeter. Additionally, contingency fire lines will be constructed in areas that include North and South Nanamkin Creek Roads as well as Keno Mine Trail Road. These burnouts will be conducted over the next several days.

Nickey also noted that additional fire personnel and other resources have been assigned to assist in halting this wildfire, which has helped to drive the cost of firefighting efforts into the millions of dollars. Additional hotshot crews and hand crews as well as aircraft support will begin to aide in the effort beginning on Saturday.

"The additional resources will be critical to completing burnouts prior to the arrival of thunderstorms and potentially stronger winds during the first half of next week," officials said.

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