The Wenatchee River Ranger District will be holding a public meeting at 10 a.m. on Saturday, August 27th at the Lake Wenatchee Rec Club Hall. In a press release, the Wenatchee River Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest said fire managers will be on hand to discuss the beneficial fire effects of managing the Buck Creek and Saul fires as well as to address any concerns of the local community. In addition to the Buck Creek Fire, crews will also be actively managing the Saul Fire to reduce future fire risk and improve forest health along the upper Chiwawa River.

The Buck Creek Fire is currently estimated to be 2,000 acres in size, while the Saul Fire is 24 acres.    The Saul Fire was first reported to the Wenatchee River Ranger Station early Sunday August 21, 2016 from a backpacker who had hiked down the Indian Creek Trail from the Pacific Crest Trail. It is believed that the Saul Fire was started by lightening at the same time that the Buck Creek Fire started. However, the fact that the area around the Saul Fire has seen fire activity in the recent past, has contributed to its much slower growth.   “This is a perfect example of how a fire adapted ecosystem can help influence the spread of wildfires,” said Wenatchee River Ranger District Fire Management Officer, Cary Stock. “With the early snow-off date this year, everything has lined up for us, and continues to line up for us, to manage these fires for wilderness values and resource objectives.”    The public meeting begins at 10 a.m. Saturday, August 27th at the Lake Wenatchee Rec Club, 14400 Chiwawa Loop Road in Leavenworth.

Weather forecasts are calling for stronger winds on Saturday, but those winds are expected to be out of the southwest, helping push from the Buck Creek Fire to the northeast and away from the historic mining town of Trinity. While there have been days with noted smoke in the local valleys after increased fire activity, there have been no health warnings issued thus far.  Most Wenatchee River Ranger District trails remain open.  Some smoke may be noticeable in local valleys, including the communities of Plain and Lake Wenatchee, during the morning hours. As the fire continues to spread in the coming weeks, smoke may become noticeable in areas along the Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and Methow valleys.  For more information on smoke and public health, please visit the State of Washington Department of Ecology website

Closures: Fire closures remain in effect for the Buck Creek Fire, which include all campgrounds north of Schaefer Creek Campground and all trailheads on FS-6200. This includes the Buck Creek Trail No. 1513, Chiwawa River Trail No. 1550, Phelps Creek Trail No. 1511, Carne Mountain Trail No. 1508, Little Giant Pass Trail No. 1518, Rock Creek Trail No. 1509 and the Old Gib Trail No. 1528. Also closed is the Indian Creek Trail No. 1502. Campgrounds that are closed include Phelps Creek, Alpine Meadows, Nineteen Mile and Atkinson Flat.

Fire Information:

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