BRANDON HANSEN / KCHW NEWS

The battle against the Hope Fire entered a new phase Friday morning as Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 8 officially assumed command of the wildfire at 6:00 a.m., taking over from Northeast Washington Incident Management Team 3.

The outgoing team was praised for its strong safety performance, effective property protection, and successful groundwork in managing the 6,700-plus-acre blaze that continues to burn near the Northport area in Stevens County.

On Thursday, crews focused on protecting structures along the fire’s southeastern edge, where flames remained active. Structural task forces worked late into the night to suppress spot fires and mop up around homes, ensuring embers and hot spots didn’t reignite. Aerial support—when visibility allowed—provided critical backup to ground crews, with helicopters and air tankers dropping retardant and water to slow the fire’s advance.

Progress was also made on the southwestern flank. Crews used bulldozers and hand tools to reinforce containment lines, while hotshot crews climbed the rugged terrain on the western edge to begin laying a preliminary control line.

However, the fire showed wind-driven growth to the north and northeast, advancing through a drainage and pushing toward the Columbia River on the south end. Fortunately, the river continues to act as a natural barrier, helping slow the fire’s southern spread.

Today’s Priorities

Crews today will build on the progress made by reinforcing existing direct firelines and continuing construction of indirect lines, which use natural features or roads as barriers. Structure protection and mop-up efforts remain a top priority, particularly where fire activity has diminished and firefighters can safely begin extinguishing residual heat in the soil and vegetation.

Firefighters will also work to keep Northport Flat Creek Road clear of debris to maintain access for emergency vehicles and begin scouting Lael Road to reestablish access through the center of the burn area. Plans are also in place to explore how best to link containment efforts on the fire’s western edge.

Weather Outlook

Hotter, drier conditions are expected to return, posing challenges for containment. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the upper 80s in valley areas and upper 70s in higher elevations. Relative humidity is expected to drop into the mid-teens, increasing the potential for fire growth.

Winds will shift throughout the day, starting out of the east in the morning before turning south to southwest in the afternoon. No precipitation is expected, and firefighters are preparing for active fire behavior as conditions worsen heading into the weekend.

Evacuations and Road Closures

Level 3 evacuation orders remain in place, meaning residents in affected areas should leave immediately if they haven’t already. Updated evacuation and road closure details are available on the Stevens County Emergency Management Facebook page at facebook.com/stevenscountyem.

To protect both the public and firefighting crews, residents are urged to stay away from roads near the fire, especially Northport Flat Creek Road and other access routes into the burn area. These routes are essential for emergency response and are not safe for public travel at this time.

Emergency Shelters Remain Open

Two emergency shelters remain available for those displaced by the fire:

• Red Cross Evacuation Center at Kettle Falls Middle School
  105 W. 11th Ave, Kettle Falls, WA
• Animal Evacuation Center at Northeast Washington Fairgrounds
  317 W. Astor Ave, Colville, WA

The Red Cross facility provides food, water, information, and a place to charge devices. The fairgrounds shelter is set up to receive and care for evacuated pets and livestock.

Stay Informed

Fire updates are being posted regularly to InciWeb and the Hope Fire’s official Facebook page. Community members can also call the Fire Information Line at 509-219-9554 (calls only) or email 2025.Hope@firenet.gov with questions.

Useful Links:

• InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident…/wanes-hope-fire
• Facebook: facebook.com/hopefire2025