Snow Peak Fire – Update September 4, 2025
Lightning activity in Kettle Crest area ignites new start
Contact Information: Megan Bush Megan.bush@usda.gov
Kettle Falls, WA. – September 4, 2025 — The Snow Peak Fire started on Monday, September 1, 2025, during a lightning event in Northeast Washington that led to many wildfire starts in the region. Driven by hot, dry, and windy conditions, the fire has grown to 497 acres and is burning in heavy timber.
The fire is located in a remote area approximately 19 miles west of Kettle Falls, WA. The fire is burning in an inventoried roadless area with very difficult access by foot. Firefighters are engaged in strategic suppression tactics that align with risk assessment.
Today, firefighters will continue scouting options for potential control line construction and assessing current and expected fire behavior.
Given the continued hot, windy and unstable conditions accompanying today’s red flag warning, additional fire growth is expected. These conditions also make it challenging for firefighters to take action directly along some portions of the fire’s edge. Because of the remote location of this fire, and the minimal values at risk, suppression tactics will align to support larger area fires that are threatening critical infrastructure and primary residences.
The historic Snow Peak cabin, a valuable recreation site in the alpine area NW of the fire, has been prepped with structure wrap, and vegetation cleared in the vicinity of the cabin to provide fire protection. There have also been past fuel treatments in the immediate vicinity of the cabin which significantly lowers the risk of impact by wildfire.
Smoke is visible in the vicinity of the fire and may settle into nearby drainages overnight. Smoke and air quality information is available at https://www.airnow.gov
Visitors are asked to avoid the area for public and firefighter safety.
Please remember to be check for and follow all fire restrictions when visiting the Colville National Forest at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/colville
Visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/r06/colville and follow us on Facebook @ ColvilleNF for current fire information. To report a wildfire, please call 911.