Fast moving fire has is threatening areas of Medical Lake, Four Lakes, City of Cheney, Lakeland Village, Eastern State Hospital, Martin Hall, and Pine Lodge.  Additional threats to travel corridor I-90.

Fire likely over 3,000 acres

Level 3 and Level 2 evacuations in place, see map.

NE Incident Management Team transitions to take over fire at 8/19/2023 at 6:00AM

Timber (Grass and Understory)

Tall Grass (2.5 feet)

Brush (2 feet)

12 hours: There will no longer be red flag criteria, but fire weather conditions will remain near critical values. Fire danger index will remain in the very high ranges. Increased winds will increase potential for more active fire behavior, however, current and expected fire behavior will remain creeping and smoldering.

24 hours: Monsoon moisture should enter the fire area. Fire behavior conditions should moderate as weather brings in cooler temperatures with increased relative humidity. Fire behavior should remain smoldering and creeping. Large diameter dead fuels will be slow to change with the changing conditions. The threat of single and group tree torching will be diminished.

48 hours: Moisture from Hurricane Hilary will be pulled into the fire area bringing rain and the chance of thunderstorms. There will no longer be a threat of torching and spotting, as rain will assist with suppressing heat sources. Relative humidity should rise to values that do not support active fire behavior. Smoldering and creeping will continue in 100 and 1000 hr fuels.

72 hours: Fire danger index should decrease to low, and fire activity should be minimal. Fire weather conditions should not support fire growth or fire behavior. Smoldering and creeping should continue as large diameter dead fuels continue to consume.

72 hours: Cool, wet conditions should persist through the first part of the week. Fire danger values should remain at or drop to low. Threats of surface fire, torching, and spotting that would compromise containment will likely diminish. It will take a minimum of 7 days of hot and dry conditions to get back to conditions that would facilitate fire growth. Creeping and smoldering should continue until significant precipitation occurs across the fire.