Local News

Fall Fire Danger on Methow Valley Ranger District

By NCBI
Oct 03, 2012

Fall is a popular season for many to spend time in their National Forests. Hunters, hikers and horseback riders along with firewood gatherers and Sunday drivers like to get out and enjoy the vibrant colors of autumn. Forest officials urge caution as we enter this fall season though. The lack of rain and persistent warm, dry weather across north central Washington are combining to keep much of the forest in "very high" fire danger.

Restrictions are in place prohibiting campfires outside of designated campgrounds and requiring firewood cutters to cease chainsaw use after 1:00 pm. All visitors to Forests are urged to exercise extreme caution with campfires, cigarettes and other sources of ignition as they venture into the woods.

"The weather forecast indicates no break in the weather pattern in the foreseeable future, which means the fire danger is likely to remain very high for at least a couple more weeks," said Methow Valley District Ranger Mike Liu.

So far this year, firefighters on the Methow Valley Ranger District have responded to four human caused fires. One of those was the Goat fire which grew to 7400 acres before it was contained.

In these conditions it only takes one poor exhaust system, a campfire left smoldering or a cigarette carelessly tossed out the window to cause the kind of devastating wildfires we have witnessed throughout the west this year.

Current fire related restrictions for National Forest Lands in Okanogan County include:

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