Northeast Washington Fire Information

10/13/2026

🔥 Ready to start your wildland fire career?

The U.S. Wildland Fire Service is hiring entry‑level Wildland Firefighters across the country, and this could be your launch point into the world of wildfire response.

Whether you're drawn to fuels work, handcrews, engines, hotshots, helitack, or wildland fire modules, this position gives you hands-on experience on the fireline and in support of prescribed fire and fuels projects. If you’ve been looking for your way in… this is it.

📍 Locations: Multiple duty stations across the U.S.
🗓️ Closes: October 30

🌲 What you’ll do:
• Perform fireline operations and mop‑up
• Support fuels projects and prescribed fire
• Gather fire behavior and environmental data
• Operate and maintain specialized wildland fire equipment

👇 Apply Now:
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/888439100

If wildland fire is the path you’ve been wanting to take, step in, we’d be glad to have you on the line.

08/27/2026

As work on the Hill Loop Fire winds down, smoke may still be visible from within the fire area for several days or even weeks.

The information below explains what to expect, when smoke may be a concern and who to call if you have questions.

08/26/2026

Hill Loop Fire Final Update
August 26, 2026

Quick Facts
Size: 127 acres
Location: 13 miles north of Kettle Falls, Washington
Start Date: August 20, 2026
Containment: 90%

Firefighters continued making steady progress yesterday, mopping up deeper into the fire’s interior and checking the perimeter for remaining heat. Crews have now completed mop-up 200 feet inside the fire perimeter in many areas and continued suppression repair where firefighting equipment and containment lines are no longer needed.

Firefighters have been using handheld infrared (IR) equipment at night to detect heat that may not be visible from the surface. After hotspots were located and recorded crews returned to those areas during the day to mop-up. Handheld IR is commonly used late in the mop-up process to help identify residual heat before resources are released from an incident.

Today, crews will focus on hot spots and complete objectives before management of the Hill Loop Fire transitions back to Washington State Department of Natural Resources tomorrow. Resources no longer needed on the incident will be released or reassigned, while local firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire.

Smoke may still be visible from within the fire area for several days or even weeks. Some stumps, duff and other fuels well inside the fire perimeter may continue to smolder or occasionally burn.

If you observe open flame or smoke within 300 to 400 feet of the fire’s perimeter, call NEWICC at 509-685-6900. If you are unable to contact NEWICC, call 911. When reporting smoke, it is helpful to provide your location, how close the smoke appears to be to the fire perimeter, characteristics of the smoke and whether you can see open flame.

Evacuations: All evacuations are lifted.

08/25/2026

Hill Loop Fire Update
August 25, 2026

Incident Commander: Shane Robson
Public Information Officer: Anjel Tomayko
Fire Information Line: 509-215-8583, 8 am – 8 pm

Quick Facts
Size: 127 acres
Location: 13 miles north of Kettle Falls, Washington
Start Date: August 20, 2026
Containment: 72%
Cause: Human, under investigation
Personnel: 173
Resources: 7 handcrews, 10 engines, 1 falling module, 1 dozer, 3 tenders
Priority: Firefighter and public safety

Firefighters continued making steady progress yesterday, working deeper into the interior of the fire to locate and extinguish remaining heat. Crews used the water delivery system established on the north end to support mop-up in steep terrain and continued gridding and checking the perimeter for hotspots.

Today, crews are expanding mop-up operations with a goal of securing up to 200 feet inside the fire perimeter where conditions allow. Firefighters will continue gridding and checking for remaining heat, while reinforcing areas that have already been mopped up.

As suppression work progresses, crews are also beginning rehabilitation of secondary containment lines. This includes installing water bars to reduce erosion, removing dozer berms and covering disturbed ground with brush where possible.

Weather will be warmer and dry today, with temperatures reaching the upper 80s and relative humidity dropping to around 16 to 21 percent. Winds are expected to remain light, shifting from northeast to southwest during the afternoon. Breezier southwest winds are expected Wednesday and Thursday, with gusts around 20 to 25 mph possible.

Evacuations: Level 1 evacuations remain in place. To sign up for alerts or view current evacuation information, visit: https://www.stevenscountywa.gov/20859/emergency-management

Road Closures: All road closures have been lifted.

Email: [email protected]
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/wanes-hill-loop

📸
Pic 1: Upper Pine River Fire Protection on initial attack, August 20
Pic 2&3: Melissa Falk, August 24

08/24/2026

Hill Loop Daily Update
August 24, 2026

Incident Commander: Shane Robson
Public Information Officer: Anjel Tomayko
Fire Information Line: 509-215-8583, 8 am – 8 pm

Quick Facts
Size: 127 acres
Location: 13 miles north of Kettle Falls, Washington
Start Date: August 20, 2026
Containment: 36%
Cause: Human, under investigation
Personnel: 153
Resources: 7 handcrews, 10 engines, 1 falling module, 1 dozer, 3 tenders, 1 skidgine
Priority: Firefighter and public safety

Yesterday, firefighters continued making progress securing containment around the fire’s perimeter. On the northern end of the fire, water pumps were set up and used to provide a robust water delivery system, supporting mop-up efforts especially in the steep terrain.

Today, crews will continue securing the fireline with a goal of a minimum of 150 feet of mop-up around the fire perimeter. On the west side of the fire, firefighters will be gridding the area to systematically search for and locate remaining heat, then mopping up those areas with heavy water use to ensure they are fully extinguished. Crews will also continue patrolling and monitoring around structures as firefighting operations wind down.

Overall, firefighters are making great progress as they work to mop up and secure further into the interior of the perimeter.

Evacuations: Level 2 evacuations have been reduced to Level 1. To sign up for alerts or view current evacuation information, visit: https://www.stevenscountywa.gov/20859/emergency-management

Road Closures: All road closures have been lifted.

Weather: Mostly sunny and warmer today, with temperatures reaching around 80 degrees. Winds will remain light to moderate, with dry conditions continuing through the afternoon.

Email: [email protected]
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/wanes-hill-loop

08/23/2026

Hill Loop Fire Update
August 23, 2026

Incident Commander: Shane Robson
Public Information Officer: Anjel Tomayko
Fire Information Line: 509-215-8583, 8 am – 8 pm

Quick Facts
Size: 133 acres
Location: 13 miles north of Kettle Falls, Washington
Start Date: August 20, 2026
Containment: 24%
Cause: Human, under investigation
Personnel: 150
Resources: 7 handcrews, 9 engines, 1 falling module, 2 dozers, 3 tenders
Priority: Firefighter and public safety

Yesterday, firefighters continued strengthening containment lines and mopping up along the fire’s edge. Crews were able to mop up 300 feet around structures. On the southwest portion, crews mopped up approximately 50 feet interior from the fireline, focusing on ash pits and other areas that can hold heat below the surface.

Thunderstorms moved through the area overnight, bringing numerous lightning strikes and rain. The rainfall was not enough to significantly affect planned suppression activities today. As temperatures rise, firefighters will also be available to respond to any new fires that may emerge.

Today’s objectives are to continue mop-up operations with a goal of 100 feet inside the fire perimeter. Due to steep, rocky terrain and limited access on the north end of the fire, water pumps and portable tanks are being set up to support suppression efforts. Specialized sawyers will be identifying and removing hazard trees that threaten the fireline. Crews will also continue monitoring areas around structures.

Evacuations: A Level 2 evacuation remains in place around the fire. Residents should remain prepared for changing conditions, follow directions from local officials and be ready to evacuate if conditions change. To sign up for alerts or view current evacuation information, visit: https://www.stevenscountywa.gov/20859/emergency-management

Road Closures: All road closures have been lifted.

Weather: A chance of showers and thunderstorms is expected today, with the strongest storms possible this afternoon. Storms could bring gusty winds and heavy rain that may briefly affect fire behavior. Winds will shift to the northwest this afternoon, with drier weather expected this evening.

Email: [email protected]
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/wanes-hill-loop

08/23/2026

08/23/2026

08/23/2026