BRANDON HANSEN / KCHW NEWS

As attention was on the Hope Fire near Northport, a blaze broke out close to homes near Deer Lake in Southern Stevens County.

Fire crews from across the region responded swiftly Saturday to a wildfire along East Deer Lake Road, as soaring temperatures and dry conditions created a volatile environment for fire behavior throughout the region.

The fire, which began mid-afternoon Saturday, quickly grew from just over 2 acres to an estimated 27 acres by nightfall. Steep terrain, downed trees near power lines, and shifting winds complicated the initial response. Level 1 evacuation notices were issued early in the incident, prompting residents to prepare for a potential evacuation. As of Sunday morning, those evacuation notices have been lifted.

Stevens County Fire District 1, working alongside Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Spokane County Fire District 4, Stevens County Fire District 4, and other partner agencies, reported the fire was 80 percent lined by late Saturday night. Crews continued active suppression efforts overnight and into Sunday. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft played a crucial role in slowing the fire’s spread earlier in the day, allowing bulldozers and hand crews to construct and reinforce control lines.

Officials noted that the fire remains active on the interior and along the ridgetop, and residents may continue to see smoke in the area. Structural protection teams and crews are monitoring for flare-ups, especially as winds increase early this week.

Fire weather conditions remain a major concern. The National Weather Service has issued Fire Weather Watches for neighboring counties, and local officials expect Red Flag Warnings to follow. Sunday brings high heat and low humidity, while Monday and Tuesday are forecast to bring strong, gusty winds that could create critical fire conditions across the southern part of Stevens County.

The collaborative response drew praise from Fire District 1, with special thanks extended to Stevens County Deputies, Inland Power, Stevens County Emergency Management, and dispatch personnel. Pilots and Deer Park Ambulance staff were also recognized, with one firefighter treated for a minor injury.

A unique shout-out was also given to the Stevens County Library system for assisting the Incident Command Post with Wi-Fi connectivity—an often-overlooked but vital part of coordinating emergency response.

As crews push toward full containment, residents are urged to stay informed, remain cautious, and avoid the area to allow responders to continue their work safely and efficiently.