Evacuations ordered for wildfires north of Keller

More than 20 structures are threatened by a quartet of uncontained wildfires burning north of Keller, Washington. The Devil’s Elbow Complex wildfires have burned 900 acres and firefighters have yet to establish any containment Wednesday morning. Firefighters believe the blaze was touched off by lightning on Saturday and the Colville Confederated Tribal Police have ordered mandatory evacuations for those living in the San Poil Valley between Bridge Creek Road and Thirty Mile Road. A spokeswoman said Wednesday morning six families had checked in to a shelter established at the Keller Community Center, located at 11669 Highway 21. More than 200 firefighters are working to control the fires, which are burning timber and slash piles on Colville Indian Reservation lands. Firefighters say a windstorm that blew through the area a couple years ago have provided ample burning fuel in the area. Forecasters predict temperatures in the area to flirt with 90 degrees Wednesday, with southwest winds blowing more than 10 miles per hour.