Evacuations lifted for fire near Davenport; crews battle growing blaze near Northport

Crews continued to battle a pair of wildfires in Eastern Washington on Friday, though evacuations were lifted for a blaze that started July 9 north of Davenport.

The Hope fire, located approximately 15 miles north of Kettle Falls and five miles southwest of Northport, has burned an estimated 7,786 acres as of Friday morning. Heavy equipment and firefighter crews were working Friday to reinforce lines along the northeast, eastern and western flanks of the fire. At least two homes and many other structures were destroyed.

The Hope fire has burned since July 8 and is now 25% contained. On Wednesday, the fire was 16% contained. Bulldozers were working to connect a fire line from 1520300 Road to Tanker Chance Road. Line was also being dug near the top of the fire near Cougar Mountain toward Crown Creek to the east, according to a news release from the Northwest Incident Management Team.

Evacuations and road closures at Lael Road and Crown Creek Road were still in place Friday. Workers are making controlled burns along the northern line. Authorities report more than 1,000 personnel were assigned to the fire as of Friday. A Red Cross evacuation center is set up at Kettle Falls Middle School, W. 105th 11th Ave., for individuals affected by the Hope fire.

Western Pines

Authorities lifted evacuations for the Western Pines fire, burning about 10 miles northeast of Davenport, on Friday morning. The fire was listed as 95% contained and has burned 5,781 acres. The fire destroyed more than 20 residences.

PalmIR, a technology used in wildland firefighting to detect hot spots and smoldering materials, was being used around structures, according to a news release from the Northwest Incident Management Team.

Small patches of fuel will continue to burn, although these pockets are unlikely to spread past the line of containment, according to the news release. Fire camp has vacated the fairgrounds in preparation for Pioneer Day .