Nespelem wildfires destroy homes, prompt evacuations

NESPELEM – A lightning-caused wildfire that started Monday, July 12, consumed nearly 40,000 acres, more than a dozen structures and triggered evacuation alerts continues to burn with partial containment at this writing.
The Colville Tribe declared a state of emergency Tuesday, July 13, as two fires combined to form the Chuweah Creek/Joe Moses Road complex fire. By Wednesday morning, July 14, an earlier Level 3 evacuation alert had been downgraded to a Level 1 and 2 as additional help arrived to help battle the blaze that is about 20 percent contained as of this writing. Level 1 is now in place for the towns of Nespelem and Keller.
Okanogan County Emergency Management (OCEM) issued a Level 3 alert at 9:22 p.m. Tuesday, July 13. An emergency shelter was set up at Lake Roosevelt High School in Coulee Dam and Jess Ford in Grand Coulee served as a center for disaster supplies. Seven homes and some domestic stock are reported to be among the fire losses.
Twin Lakes alert
OCEM also issued a Level 3 evacuation at 6:22 p.m. July 13, for the Twin Lakes Development between Twisp and Winthrop, but cancelled it about three hours later. Around 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 14, OCEM issued a Level 2, (be ready to evacuate) warning to residents living south of the Methow River and west of the Lost River Road, that leads to Mazama.
Cub Creek/West Chewuch
OCEM issued a Level 3 (immediate evacuation) for the Cub Creek area north of Winthrop last Friday afternoon, July 16, where a wildfire started earlier that afternoon reported to be about 100 acres.
A report on the Okanogan County Fire District 6 Facebook site Saturday morning, July 17, said the blaze “took off up the West Chewuch and kept going” the previous evening. There was no detail as to how much acreage was destroyed.
North Cascades Highway closed
State Route 20 North Cascades Highway is closed approximately 20 miles west of Winthrop between Silver Star and Early winters as crews battle a pair of wildfires near Mazama.