(STAFF REPORTS)

We’ve had a cool summer up until the last couple of weeks. (File photo)

Things this week have been hot, as in flirting with triple digits hot. But when compared with previous years, the Inland Northwest has experienced a relatively cool summer. Through July 28, Spokane had experienced just four 90-degree days. Bonners Ferry had just two such days, and Omak had 14. Hot days across the board were down in Eastern Washington.

In 2015, Spokane had 19 90+ degree days before July 28 while Omak had 29. The National Weather Service said that the summers of 2015 and 2017 were some of the hottest on record, and, while 2018 was somewhat cooler, this summer had been marked by some precipitation and cool downs at night that allowed dew. Still, fire danger is high, or very high in the region, and this could mean a later fire season that could stretch into October.

(COLIN HAFFNER/Chewelah Independent)

TRAGIC ACCIDENT: Rebecca Clemmer faces charges of vehicular homicide after wreck took the life of Sandpoint man in July 2019…

A trial date has been set for Rebecca Clemmer who faces vehicular homicide charges stemming from a July 2019 wreck that took the life of a Sandpoint man.

Clemmer’s black Chevy Cruze crossed lanes while she was traveling north on Highway 395 near Clayton on July 20, 2019 and collided with a black Mazda 3 driven by 22 year-old Erik Bruhjell, who was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Witness reports claimed Clemmer was driving erratically prior to and at the time of the collission, and officers noticed what they described as white pills in her car when looking for her license and insurance. Officers later determined Clemmer to be under the influence of an altering substance at the time of the wreck. A hearing is scheduled for September 3 to determine the admissability of Clemmer’s statements during the investigation at her court trial, which is currently scheduled to begin September 9.

(BRANDON HANSEN/Chewelah Independent)

SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY: Chewelah School District hopes to maintain current levy tax levels to tackle issues at Gess and JJSHS…

The Chewelah School Board approved a excess tax levy proposal for November’s ballot to maintain the level of spending with current levies set to expire. The board made the move last Thursday in a special meeting at the school district office with three board members voting on the matter.

The capital levy would raise $778,508 for the district to improve technology and safety in all school district buildings. This levy would continue the .70 cent tax per $1,000 assessed value on properties in the school district. It would also maintain the tax levels with the current levies and not raise them.

Telephone, intercom and emergency alarm systems would be updated and modernized. Currently the telephone systems are so old at both schools, the district’s technology staff has to purchase spare parts off of eBay as they are no longer commercially produced, Chewelah Superintendent Rich McFarland said. Some of the intercoms at all district buildings don’t work and need to be replaced as well to allow for better communication between classrooms. And, the school district is still using analog phones as opposed to digital phones. More

(STAFF REPORTS)

This house was saved by firefighters during the Williams Flats Fire. (Courtesy photo)

Smoke from fire causing big dip in Chewelah air quality…

More smoke poured into the Chewelah area as the Williams Flats Fire on the Colville Reservation continued to grow on Monday. According to the most recent reports, the fire is at 16,781 acres and hundreds of firefighters are working the blaze.

Heavy smoke is reducing visibility and preventing plans and aircrafts from flying and attacking the fire. Firefighters are working on establishing anchor points on the northeast flank for firelines.

Air quality in Chewelah has dipped to moderate as of Tuesday morning due to increased fire activity.

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

The Williams Flats Fire as seen from the Columbia River.

Hot temps expected this week…

Nearly 500 firefighting personnel are working on the William Flats Fire on the Colville Indian Reservation five miles southeast of Keller. The blaze could be seen kicking up smoke once again over Stevens County and has since grown to 13,497 acres. The Tribes are reporting that the fire has 20 percent of the perimeter contained.

The fire started on August 2 after early morning thunderstorms sparked the blaze which is south of Silver Creek Road and burning east, crossing Brody Creek Road and Redford Canyon.

Colville Tribal Natural Resource Law Enforcement Officers are asking boaters to stay clear of the firefighting efforts at Lake Roosevelt Recreational Area.

Firefighters are anchoring the west flank at the Columbia River and progressing northeast while continuing to scout indirect options for control lines. They will also anchor the east flank on the Columbia River and progress northeast to Whitestone ridge.

High temps and windy conditions have resulted in fairly active fire behavior and temperatures. The hot temps are expected to continue this week.

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Fire affecting air quality in region…

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation announced yesterday that the Williams Flats Fire near Keller, WA had grown to 8,200 acres. This fire is the main contributor to smoke over Stevens County and Chewelah. Air quality dipped near Wellpinit to unhealthy levels due to the fire activity on Friday and Saturday.

The Tribes said the cause of the fight was lightning and that one structure is threatened. It is located seven miles southeast of Keller and currently has 132 fire personnel working on the blaze. Including one hot shot crews and ground crews, there is also three dozers, 12 engines and five tenders battling the fire along with nine planes assigned to the fight.

The fire is currently heading east towards Redford Canyon towards an area that had been logged and firefighters are now working on containment lines. Yesterday there was zero percent containment.

(Center for Disease Control)

With wildfire smoke in the air in Stevens County, here is what you should know…

Dry conditions in eastern Washington and surrounding regions sometimes mean we have to deal with wildfire smoke and a drop in air quality. As seen in past years, this not only drops visibility but can hurt your eyes, irritate your respiratory system, and worsen chronic heart and lung diseases.

Here is a guide on how to deal with wildfire smoke in your area… More

(STAFF REPORTS/Chewelah Independent)

Stevens County Sheriff’s Office photo

Williams Flats Fire burning 2,500 acres…

It didn’t take very long into August before the tri-county area had its first big smoke event. A 2,500-acre fire on the Colville Indian Reservation produced smoke that carried over Stevens County and surrounding areas Friday afternoon.

According to KXLY reports, one home was put under level 3 evacuation orders near Keller on the Colville Indian Reservation. Called the Williams Flats Fire, the blaze had sprouted up quickly and official count last night has 2,500 acres burned north of the Columbia River. It is within the Hellgate Game Preserve. More