Stevens County Fire District 5

10/20/2026

10/19/2026

Deadline Warning: Only 2 weeks left to apply for the State Individual Assistance - Household Needs Grant and receive cash assistance!

If your home was destroyed or suffered major damage from the Central/Eastern Washington fires (on or after June 14, 2026), direct cash grants are available to help with groceries, temporary housing, and urgent supplies.

Available assistance:
• 1 person: $750
• 2–4 people: $1,500
• 5+ people: Up to $2,250

Available for residents in Benton, Chelan, Columbia, Douglas, Ferry, Grant, Kittitas, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, Whitman, and Yakima counties, as well as the Yakama Nation, Colville Reservation, and Spokane Tribe.

The application only takes a few minutes!

• Apply online: mil.wa.gov/wafires26
• Call 2-1-1 for phone support
More info on the program, including eligibility and what documents you need to apply here: www.mil.wa.gov/wildfire-assistance
Deadline: Oct. 30, 2026

Tag anyone in your community who might still need to apply!

10/06/2026

From Stevens County Emergency Management

For Immediate Release: October 6, 2026
Contact: [email protected]

COULEE DAM, Wash. — The National Park Service, in cooperation with the Wildland Fire Service, may implement prescribed underburns and pile burns in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area this fall.

Safe and favorable weather conditions are expected from early October through December. Ignition of each area should be completed in one day, and fire management staff will carefully monitor the project areas until they are fully extinguished. Residual smoke may be visible for up to two weeks after ignition.
Public and firefighter safety remain the highest priority. The planned burns by county include:

🔥 Stevens County
Rickey 3: 20 acres north of Rickey Point Road.
Rickey North: Nine acres south of Rickey Point Road.
Evans: One large pile north of the Evans Boat Launch.
Kettle Falls: One large pile south of the Boise Cascade timber and wood facility on South Boise Road.
Gifford: One large pile east of the Gifford Boat Launch.

🔥 Lincoln County
Fort Spokane: One large pile northeast of Fort Spokane near the intersection of Miles Road and Cougi Lane.
Keller Ferry: One large pile southwest of the Keller Ferry Marina.
Spring Canyon: One large pile off Spring Canyon Campground Road.

These prescribed burns are part of Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area’s ongoing fire management program. They will promote forest health, reduce wildfire fuels near homes and infrastructure, and improve plant diversity. The burns will also return nutrients to the soil and help maintain forests that are more resilient to fire, insects and disease.

Fire managers carefully plan prescribed burns and conduct them under specific weather and fuel conditions. Wildland fire management activities conducted by the National Park Service are guided by agency management policies and federal wildland fire guidelines.

About the National Park Service. Established in 1916, the National Park Service preserves America’s most treasured natural and cultural places for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of current and future generations. Learn more at

The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people so that all may experience our heritage.

09/02/2026

Winds will increase from the south Wednesday afternoon into the early evening. The strongest winds are expected across the Columbia Basin, Waterville Plateau, and Okanogan Valley. Main impacts will be strong crosswinds on west-east highways, reduced visibility from blowing dust, and chopping lakes. This will also blow around any unsecured lightweight items. Use caution is driving across eastern Washington tomorrow!

08/29/2026

Heads up, there is a 20-40% chance of thunderstorms today in north central and northeast Washington as a cold front moves through. Already multiple lightning strikes this morning in Okanogan County.

08/26/2026

Dry and breezy conditions will raise the risk for rapid fire spread across the region over the next couple of days.

Wednesday, Aug 26 (Elevated): Central Washington will see south winds shifting to the west of 10-15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph and relative humidity levels between 15-25%.

Thursday, Aug 27 (Elevated to Critical): A Fire Weather Watch is in effect from 12 PM to 8 PM for parts of central Washington. Expect stronger west to southwest winds with gusts up to 35 mph in central WA and up to 25 mph across Eastern Washington and North Idaho.

08/23/2026

Update for tonight. Aug 22nd.

Most of the thunderstorm activity has dwindled for now. Monitoring the area eastern WA and north ID in the yellow box for thunderstorm development tonight starting around 10 PM (20-40% chance). These thunderstorms will be moving fairly quickly northeast and contain little rain. Main hazards will be gusty winds and new fire starts.