Areas around Central Washington remain closed due to wildfires
CLIFFDELL, Wash. – Closures continue across Central Washington as officials monitor and fight several wildfires from Union Creek to Cle Elum.
Fire officials continue working to manage 13 fires ignited by lightning Aug. 11 near the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wilderness areas on the Naches Ranger District of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest west of Cliffdell.
Steep, rocky terrain is making access difficult, but most fires are showing no signs of additional growth. The two most significant in size are the Norse Peak Fire – burning north of State Route 410 near Union Creek – and the American Ridge Fire – burning between SR 410 and Bumping Lake. Resources are being shared between the two, which are being collectively managed by officials as “Norse Peak.”
SR 410 remains closed between Chinook Pass and Hell’s Crossing. The state Department of Transportation is planning to evaluate the conditions again Sunday morning, but it’s unlikely the stretch will open before Monday’s eclipse.
Recreational residence tracts at Union Creek and Pleasant Valley remain under Level 3 evacuations. The Timber Creek tract is closed due to access, but fires are not currently threatening the area.
Public access to a large area of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is closed, as are the Pleasant Valley and Lodgepole campgrounds and the Salmon Cove Group site.
To the north, increased humidity and overcast skies resulted in minimal fire spread Friday at the Jolly Mountain Fire, but Teanaway Community Forest remains closed north of the West Fork Teanaway River and west of the North Fork Teanaway River as crews continue working to create fire lines.
The fire – which has burned 548 acres about 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum – has been burning since last Sunday when it was started by lightning. Officials aren’t expecting significant additional spread over the weekend.
All campfires are banned on Cle Elum Ranger District as well as forest lands in the Naches Ranger District.