An Increase In Fire Activity Leads To Three Closures Along The PNT
As global temperatures continue to rise and summer seasons become hotter each year, more fires impact the wild lands that National Scenic Trails traverse. Just in the past month, several fires have started to burn near the Pacific Northwest Trail.
The current closures due to fires are as follows:
Ptarmigan Fire Closure: A 60 mile closure including the Pacific Crest Trail from Methow Pass to the Canadian Border and the Pacific Northwest Trail from Peeve Pass to the Ross Lake National Recreation Area boundary. A photo of the fire on July 19 at 7 pm can be seen in the photo below, as captured by PNTA’s Pasayten Trail Crew.
Luna Fire Closure: A 16 mile closure from the Big Beaver Lake Shore Camps to Stillwell Camps.
Upper Smith Fire Closure: A 16.5 mile closure in Idaho due to logging and some fire activity.
Stay up to date on closures and reroutes this season by using PNTA’s Trail Alerts web page. To be notified of recent closures, subscribe to PNTA’s newsletter, Facebook and Instagram.
As the fires continue to burn in Washington, PNTA’s Performance Trail Crews are often the first to know. As they spend most of their summer in the backcountry along the PNT doing strenuous trail work, it’s inevitable that they experience some smokey conditions as fire season picks up. These conditions can be especially difficult for trail crews, as they’re spending all of their time on a hitch outside and exerting themselves to an intense degree.
The Pasayten Crew was able to do a partial log out of the West Fork Pasayten River Trail before the Ptarmigan Fire encroached too close and they had to evacuate. As they were leaving, the crew placed a trail closure sign at the junction of Holman Creek Trail and the West Fork Pasayten Trail to warn future trail users. PNTA’s trail crews not only clear logs to make passage through the backcountry more accessible for trail users, they also go to lengths to ensure trail users’ safety as well. You can support our trail crews through this difficult season with this link!
As you’re exploring the backcountry this season, make sure you’re doing your part to maintain best practices during fire season.
Before heading out on your trip, check all current fire restrictions and closures for where you plan to recreate. Follow fire restrictions and avoid having a fire if conditions are dry. Never leave campfires unattended. Do not smoke on trail. Avoid parking your vehicle over dry grass. If you see a fire, call 911 immediately to report it and evacuate the area. For more information and tips, check out the National Park Service’s tips for recreating in Olympic National Forest during fire season.