BRANDON HANSEN / KCHW NEWS

Fire crews continue to make steady progress on the Hope Fire in northeastern Washington, with more containment added each day across several divisions of the burn perimeter. As of Thursday morning, Operations Section Chief Ryan Sullivan of Northwest Team 8 provided a detailed operational briefing outlining successes, ongoing challenges, and plans moving forward.

The fire is currently at 7,414 Acres, with 963 personnel working on the blaze. It currently sits at 20 percent containment.

Starting from the southeastern flank, firefighters have achieved additional containment from the heel of the fire moving upward. Crews are actively engaged in securing the fireline, mopping up hotspots, and protecting structures in the area. Sullivan noted that the perimeter in this sector is “looking better and better every day.”

Progress continues westward along the fire’s edge. Firefighters remain spread throughout the area, conducting mop-up operations and building containment lines. Officials expect full containment to reach the division break in this area within the next few operational periods.

In the Bull Hill Ranch and Ensaldo Lake area to the northwest, structural protection work is nearly complete. However, crews are still dealing with a “dirty burn”—a term used to describe erratic fire spread with unburned fingers—requiring tedious and time-consuming mop-up efforts to fully secure the perimeter.

Farther north near Crown Creek, containment lines are in place but have not yet been the focus of major suppression efforts. Firefighters have built indirect lines and are monitoring the area closely. Additional crews are expected to shift into this section once more progress is made elsewhere.

A spot fire to the west has been fully lined and is holding well. Crews are now planning burnout operations near the Flat Creek–Layle Road corridor to secure steep terrain. These targeted burns may occur in the next 24–48 hours, depending on weather conditions and resource availability.

The area with the most active fire behavior remains in the rugged northern section of the fire. Heavy equipment, ground crews, and aerial resources are being used to keep the fire in check while direct and indirect lines are being developed. Sullivan emphasized the challenging topography and remote access, which require extra planning and caution.

On the southern end in Division Alpha, crews continue patrol and mop-up work along a remote, high-elevation ridge. Containment lines are holding strong, and daily improvements are being reflected in updated fire maps.

“We’re seeing great work across the fire,” said Sullivan. “The terrain is tough, and some areas are slow going, but crews are doing a fantastic job.”