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The success of yesterday’s operations has brought containment up to 55%.  Resources from multiple agencies and contractors are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Yesterday’s Activity – Minimal fire activity occurred throughout the day and hotshot crews were able to make progress on securing the fire perimeter. Helicopters supported ground crews with bucket drops over the eastern flank.  Today’s Operations – Firefighters will continue with direct suppression strategies focusing on the slopes with little vehicle access.   Air resources have been readily available and effective. Controlling the fire’s edge and mopping up will be today’s primary focus. Weather and Fire Behavior:  The weekend will bring warm and dry weather with calm winds. Smoldering heavy fuels within the interior continue to burn. Minimal smoke production is expected Saturday.  There is potential for isolated...

 Due to fire activity, Columbia River Road is closed from Omak to Colville Indian Agency in Nespelem until further

The Bertschi Road Fire, located south of the town of Glenwood, WA., started on July 16 and its cause remains under investigation.  The fire organization managing the fire is “right-sizing” and excess resources are being made available for other fires. Approximately 224 personnel are currently assigned to the incident, which is now 90% contained. Resources remaining include hand crews, engines, dozers, and water tenders, most of which will be demobbed by end of shift today.                                                                                                                           Northwest Incident Management Team 10 (NWT10) will be transitioning the Bertschi Road Fire to a Type 4 Incident Management Team (IMT) today at 4:00 pm. A small contingent of resources, including one task force leader, one strike team leader, one strike team of engines, and one twenty person crew will remain with the Type 4 IMT....

The emergency fire closure for the Ben Young Fire area on the Paisley Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest was modified this morning, reducing in size and opening some recreation areas. The closure area is now reduced, with the area bounded by Forest Road 33 in the west to the Forest Boundary to the east, and by the 33-122 and 3510-019 Roads on the northern end and the 3510 road on the southern end. Also closed are Forest Roads 3510-018 off Clover Flat Road, the 3510-019 and 33-122 roads in the northern part of the closure area, the 3510 Road between the Forest Boundary Forest Road 33, and Road 3509 between Forest Road 3510 and the 28 Road. Forest Road 33, also known as the River Road, remains open, but the area directly east of the road between Forest Roads 3510 and 33-122 is in the emergency fire closure area. This adjustment reopens recreation sites including Marster Spring Campground, Chewaucan Crossing Campground and Jones Crossing Forest Camp. Moss Meadow...

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 FIRE AREA EMERGENCY CLOSURE  FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST  PAISLEY RANGER DISTRICT  Order Number 06-02-03-20-01-01  Pursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations §261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands and roads within the following described area on the Paisley Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, as described in attached Exhibit A. This order supersedes Order Number 06-02-03-20-01 and these prohibitions are effective immediately upon the time and date of the signature on this Order and will remain in effect until December 1, 2020, unless rescinded earlier. PROHIBITION: (1) Going onto or being within an area closed for public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53 (e) (2) Being upon a closed road. 36 CFR § 261.54 (e) The area described below will be closed to public access/entry due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Ben Young Fire. AFFECTED AREA / CLOSURE AREA: All legal...

Good progress was made yesterday to reinforce and secure the fireline.  The fire is now 35% contained and 1,249 acres.  The fire continues to threaten the Round Pass Communications Site, the Morgan Butte Fire Lookout, and one residence.   Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Yesterday’s Activity – Helicopter bucket drops were used to check hotspots and support ground crews, especially on the northern perimeter of the fire. Dozers were able to better secure the southeastern perimeter.  Today’s Operations – With heavy fuels still burning inside the fireline, controlling the perimeter and mopping up will be the primary focus for today’s efforts. Ground resources will continue suppressing spot fires with ongoing aircraft support. Weather and Fire Behavior:  A drying trend expected through the weekend will bring low relative humidity. Moderate...

The Bertschi Road Fire, located south of the town of Glenwood, WA., started on July 16 and its cause remains under investigation.  As crews continue to make progress on the fire, the number of personnel needed for the incident is evaluated. The fire organization managing the fire is rightsizing and excess resources are being made available for other fires. Approximately 304 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, which is 85% contained. Resources remaining include hand crews, engines, dozers, and water tenders. Air resources were released yesterday at the end of shift. Other resources will be demobilized as containment nears 100%. The Bertschi Road Fire night division searched for hot spots, and continued with mop up and patrolling the fire perimeter. Containment lines have been completed but mop-up to remove areas of remaining heat continues today; in some cases that work has been completed up to 300’ inside the fire line. Crews will begin back hauling unneeded equipment,...

The Ben Young Fire is currently 1,200 acres and located 13 miles south of Paisley, OR.  The fire is burning on steep slopes with grass and brush on lower slopes and timbered ridges.  NW 7 Incident Command Team 7 (Incident Commander Eric Knerr) took over management of the Ben Young Fire today at 6 a.m.  The fire is threatening the communication site on Round Mountain, the Morgan Butte Fire Lookout, and one residence.  More residences could become threatened as the fire moves to the east.  Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Yesterday’s Activity – Firefighters made good progress yesterday as thunderstorm activity was minimal, with a short period of precipitation and heavy downdrafts.  Steep slopes made fire access and egress initially difficult, but a combination of dozer and air support made good progress.   Today’s Operations - Continuation of...

FIRE AREA EMERGENCY CLOSUREFREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTPAISLEY RANGER DISTRICTOrder Number 06-02-03-20-01 Pursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations §261.50 (a) and (b), the following act is prohibited on NationalForest System lands and roads within the following described area on the Paisley Ranger District, FremontWinema National Forest, as described in attached Exhibit A. This prohibition will become effective immediately on July 22, 2020 upon signature of this Order and will remainin effect until December 1, 2020, unless rescinded earlier. PROHIBITION:(1) Going onto or being within an area closed for public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53 (e)(2) Being upon a closed road. 36 CFR § 261.54 (e) The area described below will be closed to public access/entry due to hazards and hazardous conditionscreated as a result of the Ben Young Fire. AFFECTED AREA / CLOSURE AREA: All legal descriptions are located within the Willamette Meridianand described as follows: Point of...

An emergency fire closure is now in effect for the Ben Young Fire area on the Paisley Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.The closure area is on the National Forest System land east of Forest Road 33 from Forest Road 3510 north towards Paisley.  Also closed are Forest Roads 3510-018 off Clover Flat Road, the 3510 Road between the Forest Boundary Forest Road 33, and Road 3509 between Forest Road 3510 and the 28 Road. Within the closure area are Marster Spring Campground, Chewaucan Crossing Campground, Jones Crossing Forest Camp, Moss Meadow Horse Camp, Moss Pass Trailhead and Campground, and the Fremont National Recreation Trail.  These recreation sites are all closed due to the emergency fire closure. The closure order is formally referenced as 06-02-03-20-01.  It went into effect this afternoon and is in effect until conditions allow or December 1, 2020, whichever occurs first.  There will be public notification when the closure order is lifted.Forest visitors...

The Bertschi Road Fire is burning south of Conboy Wildlife Refuge and north of Snowden Road, south of the town of Glenwood, WA. The fire started on July 16 and its cause remains under investigation.  As  crews begin to make better progress on the fire, the number of personnel needed for the incident is evaluated. The fire organization managing the fire is rightsizing and excess resources are being made available for other fires. Approximately 312 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, which is nearly 80% contained. Resources include hand crews, helicopters, engines, dozers, and water tenders. Hand held infra-red devices, used to detect heat, continue to be utilized within the perimeter of the fire footprint. Today, crews will focus on mopping up any areas of remaining heat near the edge of the fire. In some areas around the perimeter, up to 300 feet of mop up has been achieved.Yesterday, fire managers welcomed researchers from the University of Washington in Partnership with...

The Ben Young Fire is currently burning on the Paisley Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest approximately 10 miles south of Paisley. The fire was discovered yesterday at 12:56 p.m. on private lands and moved onto the National Forest late yesterday afternoon.  The cause is under investigation. This morning it is estimated that the fire is between 1,200 and 1,500 acres and there is no containment.  One private cabin in the area is threatened.  Fire behavior is moderate with some torching.   Currently there is a local Type 3 Incident Management Team assigned to the Ben Young Fire.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team is scheduled to begin transitioning onto the fire today at 5 p.m. Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  This includes multiple engines, a dozer, helicopters, air attack, a lead plane, three heavy air tankers and three single...

The Bertschi Road Fire is burning south of Conboy Wildlife Refuge and north of Snowden Road, south of the town of Glenwood, WA. The fire started on July 16 and remains under investigation. Approximately 338 personnel are assigned to the fire which is nearly 75% contained. Resources include hand crews, helicopters, engines, dozers, and water tenders.  A thermal flight was conducted overnight to delineate the fire perimeter and identify potential hot spots. With minimal activity seen on the fire yesterday, crews were able to remove remaining areas of heat near the perimeters while increasing levels of containment. Crews have placed hose lines around the perimeter of the fire and a handheld heat sensing tool is being used to search for heat sources within the containment lines where crews will focus on mopping up. Eight water tenders are located on site to support hose lines as crews are tasked to achieve 100% mop up along and within the fire perimeter. These operations ensure the...

The Bertschi Road Fire is burning south of Conboy Wildlife Refuge and north of Snowden Road, south of the town of Glenwood, WA. A control line, consisting of dozer line, hand line, and a system of forest roads, completely encircles the fire. Given the complexity of the terrain, prevalence of variable ridgetop winds, the abundance of woody fuels, and how early we are in the wildfire season, crews are working hard to suppress all hot spots within the fire perimeter. The fire started on July 16 and remains under investigation. Approximately 70% of the fire has been contained. 342 total personnel are currently resourced to the Bertschi Road Fire.  Today, crews will scout assigned divisions to validate and reinforce constructed control lines. Crews are continuing to use infrared data, collected during an overnight flight, to locate and extinguish hotspots  within the fire perimeter. This work – known as “mop up” – is hot, dirty and difficult, but is critical to ensuring that the...

July 19, 2020The Bertschi Road Fire is burning south of Conboy Wildlife Refuge and north of Snowden Road, south of the town of Glenwood, WA. Ground reconnaissance and more accurate mapping has placed the total acres burned at 250. While fire lines have been established around most of the perimeter of the fire, not all fire lines are secure enough to contain the fire should they be tested by strong winds and advancing flames. Given the complexity of the terrain and swirly ridgetop winds, lines around the fires perimeter will need to meet a higher standard before considered contained. The fire remains at 65% containment. Total personnel currently resourced to the fire is 295.Crews today will focus on completing direct line construction and improving established control lines, using dozers and hand crews. Also, crews will scout and develop drop points on the fire for hose and pump delivery. In some areas of the fire, mop up operations will begin. The fire has burned through heavy logging...

It’s the 4th of July weekend, let’s celebrate safely and responsibly!

Visiting our public lands is a great way to celebrate. Please remember that it is illegal to discharge fireworks on or onto DNR-protected lands. To keep yourself, loved ones, and our public lands safe this 4th of July weekend, please follow these safety steps:

• It is ALWAYS illegal to light fireworks or use incendiary ammunition or exploding targets on DNR-protected lands.
• Do not park vehicles in dry, grassy areas as residual heat from exhaust systems can ignite the dry grass.
• Be sure recreation vehicles have operating spark arrestors.
• Be aware of burn restrictions. Only build campfires when and where allowed.
• Rethink any open flames if winds start to pick up – wind creates conditions that make fire difficult to put out.
• Never leave a campfire unattended and be sure it is put out before leaving the area.
• Know the current wildfire risk in your county, destination, or area you may be working in.

Did you know that 85 percent of Washington’s wildfires are caused by people? The Eagle Creek fire in 2017 is an example of what can occur. The fire was a destructive wildfire in the Columbia River Gorge in the states of Oregon and Washington, and destroyed 47,000 acres of land. The fire started when a 15-year-old boy ignited fireworks during a burn ban. Knowing these tips and other tips to prevent a wildfire is always a good idea. Whether it is a firework, cigarette, or anything that creates a spark, it is important to remember “One less spark, one less wildfire.”

Be careful and be thoughtful of COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing. There is an extra strain on the medical community at this time. Everyone needs to be careful – we all play a role in preventing wildfires. It’s not just that we have to battle wildfires, but we also have to battle risk of exposure to the virus at every wildfire our firefighters go out on.

Report fire

If you see smoke or fire, call 911. Even if you’re unsure, call anyway. A false alarm is better than a wildfire.

The weather’s getting warmer, and that means it’s finally camping season. Many Washingtonians have waited months to get back outdoors, and they’re more eager than ever for recreation after being cooped up by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) we are excited to welcome you back onto public lands and hope you will do your part to keep our lands, our communities safe while outdoors. Restrictions on camping are beginning to loosen, but as people start to venture back into campgrounds, it’s essential that campers do their part to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe. Read on for guidance on responsible camping in Washington state.

When is camping reopening?

On May 29, the DNR, Washington State Parks and Recreation Commisison (Parks), and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that camping in 22 counties would begin to to reopen on Monday, June 1 for 22 counties in Washington state.

What do I need to know before I go camping?

The most important thing to do is stay as close to home as possible. If your county is still in Phase 1, please only visit day use facilities in your area. If your county is in Phase 2, you are allowed to go overnight camping (in campgrounds and in dispersed camping areas) within other Phase 2 counties.

If you are in Phase 1, don’t gather with anyone outside your immediate household. If you are in Phase 2, don’t camp in groups larger than 5 people, unless you’re all within the same household. Learn more about Washington’s coronavirus phases here.

Not all counties that are in Phase 2 are opening up for camping. It is best to check with the land manager where you would like to camp to make sure that the camping area is open. Check the status of campsites for DNR-managed land here. Be sure to make a reservation on land managed by Parks and check the list of wildlife areas with established campsites available on WDFW-managed land. 

As always, make sure you and your whole family continue to follow the Recreate Responsibly Guidelines. Those guidelines are: know before you go, practice physical distancing, stay close to home, plan ahead, play it safe, and leave no trace.

Keep our firefighters home

Never forget to put your campfire completely out before leaving it unattended. Remember, campfires are only allowed in dedicated fire rings and are not allowed while dispersed camping. Dispersed camping is when you just find a spot to set up your tent while not being in a designated campsite. More resources on how to have a safe campfire can be found here.

Those are the basics, but let’s break it down even more:

Before you go:

• Know what is open and make sure to have a Plan B. Most DNR campgrounds are first-come, first-served so they may be full when you arrive.
• Take everything you need with you (toilet paper, soap, water, hand sanitizer, and face coverings). DNR campsites a primitive and most don’t have running water.
• Don’t forget to bring your Discover Pass.
• Be sure pack to all your food and supplies, as businesses may still be closed in the town where you are camping.
• And, again, stay as close to home as possible.

When you get there:

• Practice physical distancing, especially with other campers.
• Make sure to put your campfire out. If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.
• Try to avoid cash transactions and bring your own firewood, keeping in mind not to travel too far with firewood (that can spread tree pests — learn more here).

Photo by Adrian on Unsplash.com

More resources can be found at recreateresponsibly.org. If you are out recreating responsibly, make sure to snap a pic, share it with us on social media (use #RecreateResponsibly or #DiscoverDNR), and add a #RecreateResponsibly sticker if creating an Instagram story.

Camping is a great way to get the reprieve that so many people need right now. We at DNR are excited to welcome you back onto our public lands, but we all need to do our part. Recreating responsibly makes it more likely that we can continue to camp all summer long in a secure and sustainable way.

Now, let’s get outside while also staying safe.

By Natasha Coumou, assistant restoration ecologist with the Tulalip Tribes

Invasive plants can increase wildfire risk in urban areas and pose a threat to fish and wildlife habitat, including salmon streams and forests.

That’s why the Tulalip Tribes’ Natural Resources Department, a Puget Sound Corps crew, and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) joined forces earlier this year to remove scotch broom, poison hemlock, invasive blackberry, and reed canary grass in parts of Snohomish County – including on the Tulalip Reservation. In February and early March, crews reduced and removed these invasive species on approximately 5 acres of land and a 1-mile stretch of urban trail. 

DNR funded the Puget Sound Corps’ work on this Tulalip-led project. The Puget Sound Corps is a multi-agency effort and part of the broader Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) program overseen by the state’s Department of Ecology. The WCC – an AmeriCorps program – creates future leaders through community involvement and mentorship and has more than 350 members and experienced staff statewide who restore critical habitat, build trails and respond to local and national disasters.

Here is what this one crew was able to accomplish for the Tulalip Tribes in parts of Snohomish County:

Scotch broom removal

Scotch broom is prevalent in Snohomish County and a potential fire hazard that can increase the intensity of grassland and forest fires. On the Tulalip Reservation, scotch broom has dispersed throughout urban forests, trails and public areas. 

Seeds of the scotch broom plant can remain viable for several decades. The Puget Sound Corps crew temporarily increased the tribes’ capacity to deal with scotch broom in areas that have a great potential to further disperse its seeds and exponentially increase its presence elsewhere.

One of these areas is the forestry wood yard, where the Tulalip’s natural resources staff temporarily store firewood that it redistributes throughout the community. Scotch broom there creates a continuous ground fuel by establishing itself between woodpiles, and its seeds are easily transported to other areas of the reservation. There, the crew cleared about a 1-acre area by mechanical removal.

• Wood yard full of scotch broom. (Tulalip Tribes photo)
• Wood yard after scotch broom removal. (Tulalip Tribes photo)

Another area where scotch broom has invaded is the Qwuloolt Estuary in the city of Marysville, which is adjacent to a residential area. Besides the increased fire risk, the water can carry scotch broom seeds to other areas in the Snohomish River Estuary. The acre of scotch broom removal also freed up habitat for native trees and plants that support healthy salmon populations known to inhabit the Qwuloolt, including Chinook salmon, the primary food source for Puget Sound southern resident orcas.

Members of the Puget Sound Corps crew with some invasive scotch broom they removed during a project to support forest health in Snohomish County. (Tulalip Tribes photo)

Poison hemlock removal

Poison hemlock is a non-native invasive plant that can be fatal if ingested by humans and many animals, and it is prevalent in disturbed areas, such as trails throughout the region that are frequently visited by the public. One of the most frequented public trails by the Tulalip’s health clinic has been overrun by this plant and pose an immediate danger to families using the trail.

The Puget Sound Corps crew cleared extensive patches adjacent to the trail to reduce poison hemlock density, and to decrease the immediate risk to the public of encountering this plant. During their time, the crew manually removed, filled and disposed of more than 30 large (about 100-gallon) trash bags of poison hemlock, reducing fire hazard and the risk of public exposure to this toxic plant.

Reed canary grass management

The crew also removed reed canary grass from a restoration site that was established on the Qwuloolt Estuary. In an effort to restore a resilient landscape, the Tulalip Tribes planted native evergreen trees (shore pine and sitka spruce) to outcompete the invasive grass, which had taken over a contiguous swath of land.

The grass posed an increased fire risk by creating uninterrupted horizontal fuel in an area adjacent to residential housing. To reduce its prevalence and help the establishment of a hardy, fire resilient urban landscape, the crew mowed about 3 acres of reed canary grass. 

Puget Sound Corps crew mow Reed Canary grass to aid Shore Pine and Sitka Spruce Establishment. (Tulalip Tribes photo)

Additional projects

During their time with the Tulalip Tribes, the Puget Sound Crew members removed non-native blackberry and scotch broom from a forested buffer on the banks of the Skykomish River in Monroe. The Tulalip Tribes are in the process of acquiring this area from the PCC Farmland Trust to put it in perpetual conservation.

A riparian forested buffer adjacent to the river was established decades ago to enhance habitat and water quality for salmon and other species, and the mature forest is a testament to the project’s success. Where younger maturing forests exist, however, woody invasive species like blackberry and scotch broom are competing with beneficial native vegetation. 

To maintain a healthy forest, invasive species management is paramount. The crew cleared an acre of the buffer of blackberry and scotch broom, allowing for a more resilient landscape. While working on this project, members also cleared a trail that was overgrown with vegetation to provide access to a future restoration area.

The collaboration between DNR, the Puget Sound Corps and the tribes significantly expanded the capacity of the Tulalip’s Natural Resources Department to remove invasive species on and off the reservation, benefiting communities, the watershed and urban forests.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is reopening state-managed public lands on May 5th, 2020. After following Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy order and being cooped up for a month, we are all eager to get back onto the trails. While this is exciting news, it’s important to know what to expect and how to keep everyone safe as lands open back up.

Beginning on May 5th, state parks, wildlife areas, and DNR recreation sites will reopen for day-use only. This is with the expectation that visitors follow appropriate physical distancing standards. Since DNR manages over 160 recreation sites across 3.3 million acres of state trust lands, it may take several days for staff to access all sites and unlock gates.

State-managed boat launches, marinas, and recreational fishing in Puget Sound and Columbia River will also reopen for day-use services only. All overnight accommodations, including all camping, will remain closed until further notice.

During this slow process back into normalcy, some recreation locations may have limited restroom services. It’s best to be self-sufficient by bringing your own supply of water, soap, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, and masks with you. Don’t forget to pack your Discover Pass either!

A Discover Pass is always required to park your vehicle at recreation lands, State Parks, and water-access sites managed by DNR and The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). Washington State Parks has named the 100 parks that will reopen and the few that will stay closed come May 5th.

We are asking people to continue to adhere to safety precautions and practice physical distancing as lands begin to reopen. If we notice issues of crowding, location-based closures may happen. There may also be closures for health-related issues so it best to check our website before headed out on your adventure.

Governor Inslee stated in the April 27th press conference that “if we see a sharp uptake in the number of people who are getting sick or are not following appropriate steps, then we won’t hesitate to scale this back again.”

As reopening approaches, we should all consider the steps we need to take to protect ourselves and those around us. If the outdoors is calling to you, be sure to be a responsible recreationist. To do this we ask that you plan ahead, come prepared, and practice good hygiene. For more details on responsible recreation, download our #RecreateResponsibly Tip Sheet.

“Because of our shared sacrifice and the heroic work of our first responders, doctors, and nurses, we are able to reopen public lands. Reconnecting people with nature is the first step of a long journey back to normalcy.” – Commissioner of Public Lands, Hilary Franz

We look forward to welcoming all our recreationalists back to our lands. With your help and responsible actions we can keep our recreation sites open for years to come.

Additional Resources:

• You can find the latest information about DNR recreation openings here.
• Have questions about fishing and hunting? Check WDFW’s information here.
• Have more questions? Download our frequently asked questions.
• Get the latest information on how the coronavirus is affecting Washington State by visiting the Washington State Coronavirus Response (COVID-19) page.