Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

08/14/2026

On Wednesday, August 12, several Council members and CCT staff met with Secretary of Interior Doug Burgum and the Director of the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, Brian Fennessy, at the Modrite Fire ICP in Colville, WA. The Colville Business Council and staff briefed Secretary Burgum and Director Fennessy on the fires that have swept across the Colville Reservation, noting that more than 200,000 acres have already burned before we’ve even reached peak fire season.

The discussion focused on our communities, firefighting resources, and the long‑term impacts these fires will have on our lands, forests, and families. Tribal leadership emphasized the importance of sustained federal support, and continued investment in prevention, fuels reduction, and recovery efforts across the Reservation.

We appreciate Secretary Burgum and USWFS Director Brian Fennessy for coming out to hear directly about our ongoing efforts to suppress these fires, and for taking time to discuss a path forward on how we can work together to reduce the conditions that lead to these mega‑fires.

08/13/2026

Exciting day today in Omak!

Here are some photos of the Omak Clinic Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting celebration.

Thank you to all the staff that made this celebration possible, and for the hard work, dedication, and care you bring to our community every day.

The goal is to have the clinic fully operational by August 24th.

08/13/2026

08/06/2026

On Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026, Major General Welsh, Adjutant General of the Washington National Guard, visited the Colville Business Council (CBC) to discuss the type of help the State of Washington can provide after Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency on August 1.

Major General Welsh informed CBC that there will be 250 troops from Ft. Lewis to help with the fires. They are being trained as firefighters and would be filling a role as mop‑up crews to free up resources for other firefighting capacities. This would help in getting people home from evacuation centers, who have now been gone from home for the last one to three weeks depending on where they are located.

Aerial support from the National Guard has proved to be a major help in fighting these fires. “Washington Army National Guard aviation crews began providing sustained aerial firefighting support July 19 using two UH‑60 Black Hawk helicopters and a CH‑47 Chinook helicopter based out of Deer Park, Washington,” a press release reported by the Washington National Guard. CBC Roger Finley, Inchelium district, and CBC Shar Zacherle, Nespelem district, both praised the Washington National Guard’s aerial support for saving homes and helping wildland firefighters in Inchelium and Nespelem.

General Welsh told the CBC that, as a Tribe, they can work with the state or federal government directly, and they will support any avenue available. “The fact that the president declared a disaster, and included you, we will pull resources to help you,” General Welsh said. While there may be many needs, such as generators, electrical power, water, security, traffic control, and communications, FEMA would cover 75% of the cost and the Tribe would cover the remaining 25%. The Tribe will evaluate the highest priorities after a needs assessment is completed.

General Welsh acknowledged that he needed to be on-site sooner after his experience with the 2015 North Star Fire, but the CBC was encouraged by his arrival for the Kaiser Canyon and Modrite Fires.

CCT Public Affairs & Sonny Sellars Tribal Tribune

08/04/2026

Press Release: Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation meets with Governor Ferguson regarding Major Wildland Fires

08/03/2026

Ballot Drop Boxes:
Okanogan Nespelem Agency Drop Box
21 Colville St., Nespelem, WA 99115
Open until 8:00 PM on Election Day in front of Colville Tribal Agency Building

Colville Tribes' 12 Tribes Casino Drop Box
28968 US 97, Omak, WA 98841
Open until 8:00 PM on Election Day in the Parking Lot of the Colville Tribe's 12 Tribes Casino

Inchelium Drop Box - Lake Roosevelt Community Health Drop Box
39 Short Cut Rd, Inchelium, WA 99138
Open until 8:00 PM on Election Day in the Parking Lot of the Lake Roosevelt Community Health Center.

Keller Drop Box - Sanpoil Community Health Drop Box
11665 S HWY 21, Keller, WA 99140
Open until 8:00 PM on Election Day in the Parking Lot of the Sanpoil Community Health Center.

07/30/2026

For the most current updates on the Kaiser Canyon Fire and the Moderate Fire, please follow the Colville Tribal Broadcasts, News and Information page. This is where we share verified information as it becomes available, including official notices, safety updates, and community guidance.

07/28/2026

Press Release: Solar Project on Badger Mountain is Withdrawn

07/27/2026

07/25/2026

Public Statement: Colville Tribes Responds to Statements Made by Fourth
Congressional District Candidate