Local News

Some Forest Lands in Okanogan County Remain Closed

Aug 28, 2014

With Labor Day Weekend fast approaching, there are key pieces of information that will be useful to those planning trips to National Forest Lands in Okanogan County.

Campfires are allowed in developed fire pits in the designated campgrounds and in the Pasayten and Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness areas.

Campsite number three in Foggy Dew campground is closed because of concerns about flooding and debris flows. The remaining 11 campsites in Foggy Dew Campground are open.

There are still some road and area closures associated with this summer’s fires and the recent flooding. The South Summit area, south of Highway 20 remains closed. The area around Falls Creek Road is closed, as is the area around Little Bridge Creek Road. Finley Road #4100300 and Pole Pick Mountain Roads #4100500 and 4100535 are impassable. For maps and detailed closure information, please contact the local Forest Service office or visit the forest website www.fs.usda.gov/okawen.

In and around the Carlton Complex, debris flows have damaged roads, and recent rains may have damaged more roads across the forest. Travelers should remain alert and use appropriate caution when driving on forest roads. As information about road, trail or campground impacts is received, District personnel update the forest website.

The industrial fire precaution level for zone 678W, which covers most of the National Forest Lands in Okanogan County has changed to a Level 1; meaning that woodcutting is allowed all day in that zone. Lands within zone 684 are still under a partial hootowl; meaning no chainsaw operation after 1:00 p.m. and a one-hour fire watch is required after the chainsaw is shut down.

Firefighters in the County continue to respond to fire calls. Many are holdovers from lightning storms, but there have been human caused fires as well. Caution is still advised and individuals needing to report a fire are asked to call 911.

Carlton_LD_AreaClosure_Order20140823.pdf

LBC_AreaClosure_SizeA_20140825_Ver02.pdf

UFC_LD_AreaClosure_Order20140823.pdf