BRANDON HANSEN / KCHW NEWS

As of Tuesday morning, the Hope Fire burning in Stevens County has grown to 7,236 acres and is 15 percent contained. Located approximately 15 miles north of Kettle Falls and 5 miles southwest of Northport, the fire continues to challenge crews with variable terrain and wind-driven flare-ups.

The fire, first detected on July 8, remains under investigation. Over 900 personnel are currently assigned to the incident under Northwest Incident Management Team 8.

A community meeting is scheduled for tonight at 6 p.m. at Lyn Kaste Gould Memorial Park in Northport. Officials encourage local residents to attend for the latest information. The meeting will also be recorded and posted to the Hope Fire Facebook page for those unable to attend in person.

Fire Behavior and Containment Efforts

Yesterday’s winds pushed fire growth north of Cougar Mountain. Crews quickly responded to a two-acre spot fire in the northwest corner and are working to build a control line around it today.

On the northeast side, firefighters continued mop-up operations around homes and structures, successfully strengthening containment lines in that area. These efforts helped raise overall containment to 15%.

Along the eastern flank, multiple shifts of personnel have made steady progress securing homes and improving fireline stability. On the western edge, hand crews and heavy equipment are focused on constructing direct and indirect fire lines toward Lael Road.

Today’s Operational Focus

• Continue building direct line north of Cougar Mountain
• Use dozers to build line across the north side
• Contain the spot fire in the northwest corner
• Reinforce firelines along the east and west perimeters

Weather Outlook

Cooler temperatures are expected today, ranging from the mid-70s on the ridges to the low 80s in the valleys. Winds from the north/northeast at 5–10 mph, with gusts up to 15 mph, may still present challenges for suppression efforts. Relative humidity will range between 25–35%.

Evacuations and Closures

Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders remain in effect. Residents are urged to monitor updates via the Stevens County Emergency Management Facebook page at facebook.com/stevenscountyem.

The Red Cross shelter at Kettle Falls Middle School is now open on an on-call basis only. However, the Animal Evacuation Center at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds in Colville remains fully open.

Road closures are still in place near the fire zone. The public is strongly advised to stay out of the area for firefighter safety.