Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

In brief: Scientists’ presentation probes wildfires at the Bing

From staff and wire reports

ENVIRONMENT – “Era of Megafires: The Wildfire Project,” an hour-long, multi-media, traveling presentation that confronts the trend of huge wildfires, will be in Spokane on Thursday sponsored by The Lands Council and Vaagen Bros. timber company.

The free educational program is set for 6:30 p.m. at the Bing Crosby Theater. Online advance seat reservations are required.

Paul Hessburg of the Pacific Northwest Research Station and the University of Washington, will host the fast-paced show. Hessburg has been involved in fire and landscape ecology research for 27 years.

“Megafires, wildfires over 100,000 acres, and the destruction caused by them is a serious and growing issue to our region,” read a media release from The Lands Council. “Our communities, homes, businesses and our very way of life are threatened. If we are going to make effective progress towards increasing fire resiliency, we must increase awareness and stimulate conversation about this important issue across all levels of society.”

The program involves short talks and images by wildfire photographer John Marshall interspersed with video vignettes created by award-winning documentary film company North 40 Productions of Wenatchee.

Reserve a seat through TicketsWest or pick up a free ticket at The Lands Council, 25 W. Main Avenue.

Long-distance hiker headlines women’s event

HIKING – America’s leading lady in long-distance hiking will speak in Spokane on Saturday for a women’s outdoor empowerment program. With the initial quota of 100 filled this week, free registration has been opened to another 50 participants.

Record-setting hiker Heather “Anish” Anderson will be speaking at an evening event geared to women at Riverside State Park’s Bowl and Pitcher picnic shelter. She’ll be launching the local REI store’s Force of Nature initiative, which aims to make the outdoors a level playing field for women and men.

Anderson, 36, holds the fastest known times for unsupported thru hikes on the Pacific Crest, Appalachian and Arizona Trails. The Western Washington climber and ultra-runner is also a creative writer and inspiring speaker featured by groups and TED Talks.

Her program in Spokane is free. Register for the remaining spots at REI.com/Learn.

Spring birding class Saturday at Sandpoint

NATURE – A “Spring Birding Fling” class open to the public will be held on Saturday by outdoor educational specialist and field ornithologist Brian Baxter at North Idaho College at Sandpoint, 102 S. Euclid.

Register by contacting the NIC Workforce Training Center at (208) 769-3214 or request more information by emailing workforcetraining@nic.edu. The class will meet in the parking lot of NIC at Sandpoint at 9 a.m.. It will last until about 3 p.m. and the cost is $49.

“North Idaho has some of the best birding around and we’ll visit a few optimum field sites during the prolific spring migration,” Baxter said. “We will sharpen our eyes and skills as we search for eagles, hawks, harriers, herons, swans, cranes, shorebirds, passerines, waterfowl and whatever else we may find.”

The outing will place an emphasis on spotting and identifying local species – all levels of birders welcome.

Climbing area closed as basalt pillar tumbles

CLIMBING – The collapse of a basalt column on Friday has prompted the closure of the Royal Columns climbing area on the Oak Creek Wildlife Area in Yakima County, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says.

Greg Mackey, Oak Creek Wildlife Area manager, said the month-long closure of the popular climbing area will protect public safety while long-term use of the site is assessed.

“Closed are all lands within 150 feet of the cliffs known as the Royal Columns climbing area, and the access trail directly across the Tieton River from the Oak Creek Wildlife Area headquarters off Highway 12, northwest of Yakima,” the agency said in a release. “The closure includes about 3.5 acres and about 1,000 feet of access trail.”

A large basalt column detached from the Royal Columns cliffs and plummeted to the valley floor at 6:50 a.m. on Friday, Mackey said. The agency did not report any injuries.