215 Melody Lane Wenatchee, WA 98801 Public Affairs Office: NEWS (509) 664-9314; Fax (509) 664-9286 Visit our websites at www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee RELEASE www.fs.fed.us/r6/okanogan

Date: September 1, 2006 Subject: Popular Hiking Areas, Roads, and Campgrounds Closed due to Wildfires Contact: Deb Kelly (509) 826-3396 or Robin DeMario (509) 664-9292

Hikers, hunters, and other recreation enthusiasts heading to North Central Washington this Labor Day holiday weekend may be disappointed if their intended recreation destination is within the central and eastern portion of the Pasayten Wilderness in the Okanogan National Forest, or in the Glacier Peak Wilderness north of Entiat in the Wenatchee National Forest. Both locations have extensive trail and area closures in place as a result of wildfires currently burning nearby. In addition, a portion of the north shore of Lake Chelan in the Flick Creek, Fourmile Creek, Purple Pass, and Hazard Creek areas plus the War Creek Trail out of the Twisp River drainage remain closed due to the Flick Creek Fire. The closures have been implemented due to the proximity of actively burning fires, current fire fighting activities, and a concern for public safety. “Many popular hunting areas are encompassed in the closure associated with the 150,000-acre Tripod Fire and the 5,240-acre Tatoosh Fire,” said John Newcom, Methow Valley District Ranger. These fires are burning in dense insect-killed stands of timber on extremely steep terrain. “Essentially, the entire Pasayten Wilderness east of the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 is closed, that leaves just a small segment of the western portion of the Pasayten Wilderness open,” added Newcom. “The Cedar Fire, burning about 8 miles southwest of Mazama, is another high priority fire due to its proximity to the community of Mazama. There are three trail closures, one campground closure, and one road closure as a result of this fire,” Newcom said. If forest visitors to the Okanogan National Forest are looking for areas not affected by any of the closures, it is recommended that they travel to the Five Lakes area on the east side of the Tonasket Ranger District or into the lower (southern area) of the Twisp River drainage on the Methow Valley Ranger District. For individuals thinking about visiting the Glacier Peak Wilderness, all trails into the wilderness above Cottonwood Campground are closed. “The Entiat Valley Road is closed at the North Fork of the Entiat River for safety reasons, there are helicopters dipping water, retardant, and thermo-jel from tanks situated off of Duncan Hill Road,” said Karin Whitehall Entiat District Ranger. “The backcountry in the North Fork and Mad Lakes area is open, although under an evacuation notification to heighten visitors’ awareness of the fire burning in the Glacier Peaks Wilderness.” (MORE)

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Popular Hiking Areas Closed due to Wildfires/ page 2

“We still have four campgrounds open on the Entiat District so folks looking for a place to camp over the Labor Day holiday weekend can still camp at Silver Falls, Lake Creek, Fox Creek and Pine Flats campgrounds,” added Whitehall. Although a segment of the north shore of Lake Chelan is closed due to the Flick Creek Fire, the remainder of the Chelan Ranger District is unaffected by fire closures; campfire restrictions remain in effect though. Those planning to visit the Entiat Ranger District, the Methow Valley Ranger District, or the western section of the Tonasket Ranger District should check to make sure the area they wish to visit is not within one of these closure areas. There are no fire related closures (just campfire restrictions) in effect on the Naches, Cle Elum or Wenatchee River Ranger Districts. “We are assessing the need for these closures and will publicize any changes as soon as possible,” Newcom said. However, depending on conditions at each location, some closures may remain in place for weeks, he added. For additional information on these fires and associated closures, please visit the Fire Incident website at www.inciweb.org, the Okanogan National Forest website www.fs.fed.us/r6/okanogan, the Wenatchee National Forest website www.fs.fed.us/r6wenatchee, or call any of the local Ranger District offices. With the continued dry conditions and fire danger concerns, recreationists should especially be aware that campfire restrictions are in effect forest wide. ###