BRANDON HANSEN / KCHW NEWS

Firefighters continue to battle the Hope Fire near Northport, which has grown to an estimated 6,764 acres as of Wednesday morning. Emergency crews are making progress on several fronts but several structures have been lost. Containment remains at zero percent, and the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Currently, 277 personnel are working the fire, with much of the firefighting activity centered around Flat Creek and the surrounding drainage areas. Structure protection remains a priority, particularly in the areas near Lael Road and to the north and east toward Flagstaff Mountain. Firefighters have been using a mix of hand tools, heavy equipment, and aerial resources to build and reinforce firelines. However, smoke and an inversion layer have limited visibility, making aerial operations difficult at times.

On Tuesday night, crews successfully held firelines on the south end of the fire near China Bend on the Columbia River. A spot fire approximately 15 acres in size was also brought under control and connected to the main fireline. To the north, increased winds caused a rise in fire activity, prompting crews to strengthen indirect firelines using widened roadways near Pepoon and Ansaldo Lakes.

Meanwhile, activity on the fire’s west flank was relatively calm Tuesday, allowing crews to assess containment options in that area. Direct fireline reinforcement continues throughout the perimeter—especially where fire has already reached the constructed lines. Indirect firelines—such as roads and dozer lines placed ahead of the fire—are being improved and prepared for burn-out operations to remove unburned fuel between the fire and those lines.

The firefighting effort will see a transition in leadership on Thursday morning, as the Northeast Washington Incident Management Team 3 hands off control to the Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 8 at 6 a.m., July 11.

Road closures and evacuations remain in place. Northport Flat Creek Road is closed from its junction with Highway 25 south to Gilmore, and officials are urging the public to avoid the area unless they live there. If you are under an evacuation order and choose to remain, please stay off the roads. Numerous fire engines, water tenders, and other emergency vehicles are actively working in the area, and road congestion has been reported, especially around the Kettle Falls High School and Middle School where firefighting crews are based.

The American Red Cross shelter remains open in the blue building behind Kettle Falls Middle School. Residents in need of information, water, or phone charging are encouraged to stop by.

Weather for Wednesday is slightly more favorable, with cooler temperatures and higher humidity expected. Highs will be in the mid-80s under mostly cloudy skies, and winds will remain light out of the north-northeast. However, no rain is expected.

Level 3 evacuation orders remain in place. For the latest evacuation and road closure updates, please refer to the Stevens County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/stevenscountyem/