Lightning Fires in The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

So far so good when it comes to wildfires in Yakima County say fire officials. Two big fires in the region kept firefighters busy earlier this year near Naches and in Kittitas County near Vantage. Both were doused and under control in a short amount of time because of the resources that were committed to fighting the flames. Because of a lack of other fires around the state officials were able to commit a lot of firefighters and other resources to fight the flames.

Cross your fingers and be careful with anything that could start a fire

Now officials in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest are hoping soaking rains come before a large wildfire starts by the end of the summer, September 22. Campfires are banned across the entire forest. Over the last week lightning storms visited parts of North Central Washington igniting nine new fires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. According to a press release;

New Wenatchee River Ranger District fires:

1.    The ¼-acre Cady Ridge Fire, located 25 miles northwest of Plain, WA, is staffed with six rappelers. Cady Ridge Trail remains open.

2.    The 4-acre Meander Fire is being monitored due to its location in steep terrain, and concerns about firefighter safety. This fire is located a couple miles south of the Cady Ridge Fire. We ask the recreating public to be aware that it will continue to burn over the next few weeks.

3.    The half-acre Grasshopper Meadow Fire is burning in the White River drainage 3 miles northwest of the White River Fire and 18 miles northwest of Plain, WA. The fire is staffed by the Lakeview Hotshot crew and a couple of fire engines.

New Methow Valley Ranger District fires:

There are six fires burning on the Methow Valley Ranger District in the northwest corner of the Pasayten Wilderness Area. Most are small and all are being monitored due to their remote locations. All received some rainfall on August 24, and currently, there are no trail or area closures associated with these fires. Smoke from these fires will be visible to users of the northwest Pasayten trails:

1.      Parks Fire is 20 acres and is located just a mile and a half south of the Canadian/U.S. border. Twelve smokejumpers initially responded to this fire; the fire is now being monitored.

2.      Schull Creek Fire is three-quarters of an acre and is located 2 miles northwest of Deception Pass and 9 miles south of the Canada/U.S. border.

3.      Big Face Creek is 1/10 acre and is located 4 miles south of the border.

4.      Three Fools Fire is 1/10 acre and is 7 miles south of the border.

5.      Power Mountain Fire is 1/10 acre and 8 miles south of the border.

6.      Skagit Fire is 1/10 acre and 5 and a half miles south of the border.

There is potential for new fires over the next few days due to high fire danger and lightning that is forecast for the area.

Campfire restrictions remain in effect across the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. For more information, go to the forest’s fire restrictions webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053600.