KETTLE FALLS, Wash. — The Boyds Fire burning just northwest of Kettle Falls is 18 percent contained as of Thursday afternoon.
Highway 20 in Ferry County has reopened as of 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Officials are asking drivers to use caution as fire crews are still working in the area.
The fire has burned 3,065 acres since Saturday evening and continues to burn in timber, brush and grass. Officials said 430 structures are still threatened by the fire. Three homes were lost in addition to several outbuildings.
A Red Cross Shelter is set up at Kettle Falls High School for evacuees.
The area between Matsen Creek south to Kamloops Island evacuations were lowered to a level 2. The area from Kamloops Island south to the Sherman Homes, Mellenberger and Bisbee Mt. Roads remains at a Level 3 evacuation.
Highway 395 is open north of Kettle Falls Thursday afternoon after it was reduced to one lane for fire suppression Wednesday.
A community meeting will be held Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Kettle Falls Public Library on Myer’s Street. Representatives from WA Department of Natural Resource, USFA Colville National Forest, Joint Fire District Stevens Co. 8/Ferry Co. 3, Colville Bureau of Indian Affairs and Ferry Co. Emergency Management will all be in attendance.
Fire crews will be working to secure the fire perimeter along the northern boundary below the Nancy Creek Road. Hotshot crews will focus on the northwestern perimeter of the fire, tying into the dozer line and when opportunity makes itself available, crews will go direct on the fire line.