Modrite

Colville Tribal Broadcasts, News and Information

Modrite Fire Update

July 31, 2026

Northern Rockies CIMT #3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens

Size: 22,673 acres - Start Date: July 17, 2026 - Cause: Lightning

Containment: 27% - Personnel: 639 - Location: 17 Miles SW of Inchelium, WA

Highlights:

Acreage is likely higher than reported, as smoke impacted the ability for accurate infrared mapping over the north end of the fire last night. Yesterday the Modrite Fire moved rapidly north of Stranger Mountain. The incident command post (ICP) was used as a holding feature for the fire’s northern flank.

Dozer operators constructed lines along Silver Creek Road, and crews conducted firing operations where necessary to reduce vegetation between the active fire’s edge and the firelines as it rapidly progressed north. Aircraft was utilized heavily, including Very Large Air Tankers (VLATs) and Large Air Tankers (LATs) conducting retardant drops, and scooper planes and helicopters dropping water. Residents in Level 3 (GO NOW) evacuation zones should leave immediately.

Operations:

Firefighters are preparing for another challenging day as the fire continues to burn through dry fuels under difficult conditions. Crews expect extreme fire behavior throughout the day, with activity driven by unpredictable wind patterns, critically dry fuels, and low humidity recoveries overnight. Resources are focused on the fire's right shoulder, where crews are working to slow growth and protect structures as the fire moves into Inchelium.

Fire managers are also assessing the situation and prioritizing resources for indirect line construction and direct attack where appropriate.

Firefighter safety and protecting lives and property remains the top priority. Structure protection measures include structure triage, removing flammable materials from around buildings, constructing dozer lines, retardant drops, water drops, and setting up sprinkler systems as time allows. Crews are also working to connect holding features to Stranger Creek to guide the fire toward the river and away from nearby communities.

Extra support from the Bradeen Fire is expected to continue today. Yesterday resources from the Bradeen Hill Fire deployed to the Modrite for extra structure protection around Inchelium, including an Interagency Hotshot Crew, multiple dozers and engines, and a strike team of Washington surge resources. Firefighters worked throughout the night around homes and structures while dozers created firelines.

Aircraft continues to play a critical role despite challenging visibility caused by smoke. Yesterday two helicopters, six large air tankers, four type-one helicopters, and two scooper planes supported suppression efforts with water and retardant drops. Reconnaissance flights monitored fire activity and informed decision-making throughout the day.

The addition of a helicopter coordinator helped manage aviation resources in addition to Air Attack. Aircraft are expected to continue actively support firefighting efforts today as conditions and visibility allow.

Weather & Fire Behavior:

The area is experiencing an accumulated drying effect. Today will be hotter and drier with lower relative humidity. The fire has produced extensive smoke in the area, which may help keep humidity slightly higher.

A strong dry cold front is expected to move into the area Saturday, creating a critical fire weather day with up to 45 mph wind gusts. For smoke outlooks, go https://outlooks. airfire.

org/outlook/9b4664c3.

Evacuations:

Ferry County residents should sign up for Everbridge Mass Notification System through the Ferry County webpage at https://tinyurl. com/FerryCoAlerts. Level 3 (GO NOW), Level 2 (BE READY), and Level 1 (Notification) notices are in effect in the area.

Statuses may change rapidly. For questions, please call the EOC Call Center: 509-634-2043. All evacuations on Perimeter Maps: https://tinyurl.

com/bdhsntmy.

Safety Message:

For your safety and to allow firefighters safe access to the incident, please stay out of all Level 3 evacuation areas and obey all road closures. Unauthorized entry into closed areas can interfere with firefighting operations and place both the public and emergency personnel at risk. If you fly a drone, we cannot fly firefighting aircraft.

Unauthorized drone activity may immediately impact aerial firefighting operations.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../wacoa-modrite-fire

Fire Information Line: 509-287-8176

Email: 2026.modrite@firenet.gov

Update 07/23/2026

Northeast Washington Fire Information

Just now

·

Modrite Fire Information Update

July 21, 2026 6:00am

At 6:00 a.m. on July 21, command of the Modrite Fire transitioned from the Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #1 to Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3.

As the fire continues to grow in size and complexity, Northern Rockies Team 3 will manage the increasing number of resources, expanded fire camp, and ongoing suppression operations.

Future fire information and daily updates will be available through:

• Colville Tribal Broadcasts, News and Information https://www.facebook.com/CCTBroadcasts

• InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../wacoa-modrite-fire

The Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #1 would like to thank the Inchelium community, the Colville Confederated Tribes, our cooperating agencies, and the surrounding communities for their tremendous support during initial attack. We appreciate the trust placed in our team and wish Northern Rockies Team 3 continued success as they carry the incident forward.

Northeast Washington Fire Information

Modrite Fire Update

July 20, 2026 - 8:30 am

Fire Information Line: 509-287-8176

Quick Facts

Size: 6406 acres Start Date: July 17, 2026 Cause: Lightning

Containment: 0%

Personnel: 225

Location: 17 Miles SW of Inchelium, WA

Structures Lost: Estimated 5 structures damaged or destroyed

Current Conditions: The fire crossed Silver Creek Road south of Rodgers Bar Road, spreading toward Lake Roosevelt and north toward Rodgers Bar Campground. Fire spread continues toward Coyote Creek Road, although growth has slowed. Firefighters continue to hold the fire along Wilmont Road and adjacent portions of Silver Creek Road.

Evacuation levels remain unchanged.

Yesterday the fire established a spot fire south of Roger's Bar Road. Crews quickly engaged in structure protection aided by a Black Hawk helicopter. Fire activity increased near Wilmont Road, where aircraft helped reduce fire intensity and slow westward fire spread.

Crews prepared Coyote Creek Road for future containment efforts while constructing a dozer line between Wilmont Road and Coyote Creek Road.

Fire Strategy: The objective is to keep the fire south of Coyote Creek Road while protecting homes, cultural resources, and critical infrastructure. Firefighters are taking advantage of moderating fire behavior to strengthen containment opportunities ahead of forecasted warmer and drier conditions. Today's priority is strengthening Coyote Creek Road as the primary containment line and to construct an indirect dozer line between Coyote Creek Road and Wilmont Road.

Crews will assess conditions at Rodgers Bar Campground and engage in structure protection.

Aircraft will remain active on the northeast portion of the fire near Coyote Creek as firefighters strengthen indirect containment lines. Crews will continue constructing an indirect dozer line between Coyote Creek Road and Wilmont Road, assess conditions at Rodgers Bar Campground, and provide structure protection as needed. Firefighters are also evaluating additional indirect containment options south of yesterday's spot fire.

Crews are assessing indirect line on the southern segment of yesterdays spot fire.

Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team #3 will shadow Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #1 today in preparation for the transfer of command at 0600 tomorrow morning.

Evacuations: Level 3 evacuations are in effect for Wilmont Creek Road, from the Kewa Road intersection at Silver Creek to Rodgers Bar, Inchelium, WA. Silver Creek Road is closed between Four Corners and Kewa Road. Wilmont Road is closed at Twin Lakes.

Residents in this area should leave immediately. Do not wait for additional notifications or door-to-door contact. Be aware of your surroundings, evacuate without delay, and use caution while traveling. Watch for emergency vehicles and first responders. This may be your only evacuation notice.

Evacuation Shelter: Kettle Falls Middle School, 101 W. 11th Ave., Kettle Falls, WA; Household pets are welcome but must be kept in kennels.

Safety Message: For your safety and to allow firefighters safe access to the incident, please stay out of all Level 3 evacuation areas and obey all road closures. Unauthorized entry into closed areas can interfere with firefighting operations and place both the public and emergency personnel at risk. If you fly a drone, we cannot fly firefighting aircraft.

Unauthorized drone activity may immediately impact aerial firefighting operations

Modrite. WA-NES-000260. IMT3. 17 miles SW of Inchelium, WA. Start: 7/17. Cause: Natural. 1200 acres (+600). 0% containment. Grass, brush, and timber. Active fire behavior with wind-driven runs, torching, and spotting. Evacuations in effect. Road closures. CIMT NR Team 3 mobilizing.

Modrite. WA-NES-000260. IMT3. 17 miles SW of Inchelium, WA. Start: 7/17. Cause: Natural. 1200 acres (+600). 0% containment. Grass, brush, and timber. Active fire behavior with wind-driven runs, torching, and spotting. Evacuations in effect. Road closures. CIMT NR Team 3 mobilizing.

Colville Tribal Broadcasts, News and Information · 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐚𝐜𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 Issued: 07-18-2026 10:47 AM LEVEL 3 – IMMEDIATE EVACUATION Location: Wilmont Creek Rd, Kewa Road intersection at Silver Creek down to Rodgers Bar, Inchelium, WA. Do not wait for additional notifications or door-to-door contact. Leave the area immediately.

Be aware of your surroundings and evacuate without delay. Use caution and watch for emergency vehicles and first responders. This may be your only evacuation notice.

Evacuate now. Again, this is a Level 3 - Immediate Evacuation for Wilmont Creek Rd, Kewa Road intersection at Silver Creek down to Rodgers Bar, Inchelium, WA.