Storms through the night of August 29th, 2025 in Ferry and Stevens counties caused a significant number of lightning strikes and produced several smaller fires in the region.  Crown Creek, Blackhawk Mountain, and Johnson Grade fires were reported in the Onion Creek area.  Crews were able to gain early access to Johnson Grade fire, limiting growth of the fire. Aerial assets engaged Crown Creek and Blackhawk Mountain as crews worked on access and construction of indirect lines around the fire.  Smokejumpers deployed on Blackhawk Mountain and constructed direct and indirect lines. 

At approximately 1600 (4:00pm) yesterday, fire activity on the Crown Creek fire significantly increased.  The fire began to spot in the Crown Creek drainage, resulting in rapid growth to the north as the fire aligned with topography and winds, with additional growth towards the west.  The fire grew to over 800 acres by 2200 (10:00pm).  The resulting rapid growth initiated evacuation notices to the Marble and Onion Creek community areas (level 1, 2, and 3).  Responding wildfire crews aided Stevens County Fire District 11 with structure protection preparation in the evacuation areas as a precaution to the potential of the fire spread into that area.  Additional resources and crews arrived throughout the day and continued to bolster resources for fire line construction.

Today, crews will continue to monitor the potential of fire growth and continue with structure preparation as a precaution to the potential fire spread into those areas.  Crews will work on direct and indirect lines (where available) on Crown Creek and Blackhawk Mountain fires.  Aerial assets will work on keeping fire behavior low along the fires edge, slowing growth and allowing crews to engage in fire line construction safely. Additional resources will be arriving throughout the day and engaging both the Crown Creek and Blackhawk Mountain fires.  Both fires have the potential for rapid growth, which could result in expanded evacuations.