Local News

Tribes Industrial Fire Precaution Level Changes


Aug 17, 2017

The Colville Business Council announced today that the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Forestry Department will set the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) at 3 to allow for continued logging operations with the condition that contractors post a 24-hour fire watch.

The Tribes have closed roads across the reservation due to extreme fire conditions. “Our logging operation is not only a stumpage payment to our tribe, it remains as an asset for our people to have these professionals out there on a 24-hour fire watch as we maintain available emergency staff on the Bridge Creek Fire,” said Councilman Jack Ferguson.

The Reservation fell under the IFPL level 4 yesterday, Tuesday August 15th at 18:00. All gathering roads were closed yesterday except for the County road home accesses. The closure allows for any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of duty in the closed areas.

The emergency resolution reads, “Whereas, it is the recommendation of the Natural Resource Committee to direct the BIA Forestry Department to set the IFPL at (3) three to allow for continued logging operations with the condition that contractors post a 24-hour fire watch.”


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