Ahtanum Closed Until Further Notice

[Grumpy]

http://www.dnr.wa.gov/RecreationEduc.../nr09_132.aspx

Fire forces closure of Ahtanum State Forest to public access
South Fork Ahtanum Rd and North Fork Ahtanum Rd from Tampico each limited to local traffic until further notice

OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is closing the Ahtanum State Forest effective immediately. The area, located east of Yakima, will be closed at least through the weekend due to the Discovery Fire which originated on adjacent United States Forest Service land. The Ahtanum State Forest is popular with outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the state.

DNR is coordinating with the USFS, Yakima County Sheriff’s Office and Yakama Nation concerning the closure. To assist with the fire, DNR has dispatched a Type 2 Incident Command Team that should be in place by 3:00 p.m. this afternoon. Currently, the Discovery Fire is burning in the Klickitat Meadows area of the forest. Given the area’s poor forest health conditions, it has the potential to spread quickly. The poor forest health conditions are due to pests such as pine beetle.

With the fire weather forecast of extremely hot, dry and windy conditions throughout the weekend and beginning of next week, extreme fire behavior on this incident (Discovery Fire) is expected. All access roads into the Ahtanum State Forest will be blocked and staffed by law enforcement.

South Fork Ahtanum Rd and North Fork Ahtanum Rd from Tampico are closed and the Yakima County Sheriff’s Department is only allowing local traffic through.

Still photos of the Discovery Fire are posted on the DNR flickr page here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wastate...7621770445607/

Media Contact:
Aaron Toso, Director of Communications & Outreach, 360-902-1023, aaron.toso@dnr.wa.gov
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[Grumpy]

Updated on July 28th, 2009
Phone: (509) 852-1100
OFFICE HOURS: Monday through Friday 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
July 28th, 2009....14.30...LIGHTNING IGNITES UP TO FIVE FIRES IN
THE TEANAWAY... At least five new lightning strikes have started
fires on the Cle Elum Ranger District. Currently we have one in
the Silvercreek area, two in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, and five
in various Teanaway locations. Firefighters, including 8
Smokejumpers, are currently trying to get a handle on each of the
fires before they have a chance to grow. Look to
CleElumTrails.com for updates. Expect trail and road restrictions
this weekend. I will update this page daily with fire information.
CAMPGROUNDS: All developed campgrounds are now open with the
exception of the following locations.
Kachess Campground is closed indefinitely due to hazard tree removal
operations. The best estimate for re-opening is late July. In the interest of
public safety it is necessary to prohibit access to the campground at this
time.


FIRE CLOSURES as of July 28th. Pacific Crest Trail 2000 near
Lemah. All traffic is diverting via Lemah meadows and Pete Lake
Trails.

CAMPFIRE RESTRICTIONS begin this THURSDAY. Campfires will
only be allowed in HOSTED campgrounds. No campfires outside
of the Wilderness boundary or above 5,000 feet within the
Wilderness Boundary will be allowed.


For future updates http://www.cleelumtrails.com/

[Grumpy]

Discovery Fire contained; Ahtanum State Forest re-opens
By Ear to the Ground
The popular Ahtanum State Forest re-opened for recreation today. Fire crews have contained the Discovery Fire, which burned more than 4,000 acres west of Yakima after lightning struck on July 28.

Some areas in Ahtanum remain closed so that crews can complete fire containment. DNR is asking visitors to stay away from Darland Mountain and Klickitat Meadows. Visitors can access the North Fork Ahtanum Road as far as Snow Cabin Campground and the Middle Fork Ahtanum Road to Tree Phones Campground. Roads west of these areas are closed. Also, Eagle Nest Vista and Clover Flats Campground remain closed.

In addition, the Discovery Fire interrupted a planned replacement of the bridge just east of Snow Cabin Campground. Starting Monday, Aug. 17, the North Fork Ahtanum Road will be closed for the bridge replacement. DNR expects the road and campground to re-open by the end of the week. The bridge project will close public access to Snow Cabin Campground.