The Okanogan Wire
Public Safety

Okanogan–Omak Fires Update: 4 Fires Active

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Three Idaho wildfires and one Colorado wildfire are currently active, according to InciWeb public records updated July 17, 2026. The Upper Smith Fire, reported July 9, is 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, Idaho. The Turner Fire, reported July 15, is 5 miles south of Copeland, Idaho. The East Evans Creek Fire in Oregon was reported July 10. The Elk Fire in Colorado started July 9.

None of these fires are currently reported to pose a threat to Okanogan or Omak, Washington. The Upper Smith Fire has drawn resources from the Turner Fire, with both fires managed by Idaho agencies. The East Evans Creek Fire in Oregon is managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry. The Elk Fire in Colorado is in remote wilderness with no safe ground access.

The InciWeb records show no evacuation orders or road closures affecting Okanogan–Omak residents. The fires are being monitored by respective state and federal agencies. No further updates are expected until the next public report.

📄 Source: InciWeb — Active Wildfire Incidents https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incidents/rss.xml
Checked against the public record10 of 18 claims · 56%

Every factual claim below was checked against the original public record. Source: original document ↗

  • Three Idaho wildfires and one Colorado wildfire are currently activenull
  • InciWeb public records were updated July 17, 2026Last updated: 2026-07-17
  • The Upper Smith Fire was reported July 9null
  • The Upper Smith Fire is 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, IdahoThe Upper Smith Fire is approximately 20 miles northwest of Bonners Ferry, ID, 3.5 miles up the Smith Creek drainage off the Kootenai River Valley.
  • The Turner Fire was reported July 15The Turner Fire was reported the evening of July 15 approximately 5 miles south of Copeland.
  • The Turner Fire is 5 miles south of Copeland, IdahoThe Turner Fire was reported the evening of July 15 approximately 5 miles south of Copeland.
  • The East Evans Creek Fire in Oregon was reported July 10The East Evans Creek Fire was reported July 10th at approximately 2:45 p.m.
  • The Elk Fire in Colorado started July 9The 2026 Elk Fire started by lighting on 7-9-2026.
  • None of these fires are currently reported to pose a threat to Okanogan or Omak, Washingtonnull
  • The Upper Smith Fire has drawn resources from the Turner Firenull
  • The Upper Smith Fire and the Turner Fire are both managed by Idaho agenciesThe type of incident is Wildfire and involves the following unit(s) Idaho Panhandle National Forests.
  • The East Evans Creek Fire in Oregon is managed by the Oregon Department of ForestryThe type of incident is Wildfire and involves the following unit(s) Southwest Oregon District - Oregon Department of Forestry.
  • The Elk Fire in Colorado is in remote wildernessThe 2026 Elk Fire started by lighting on 7-9-2026. The fire continues to burn in remote, ruggged wilderness terrain with no safe ground access and high risk associated with emergency
  • The Elk Fire in Colorado has no safe ground accessThe fire continues to burn in remote, ruggged wilderness terrain with no safe ground access and high risk associated with emergency
  • InciWeb records show no evacuation orders affecting Okanogan–Omak residentsnull
  • InciWeb records show no road closures affecting Okanogan–Omak residentsnull
  • The fires are being monitored by respective state and federal agenciesnull
  • No further updates are expected until the next public reportnull

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