Red Flag Warning

[mister_coffee]

Thanks. This is what it takes. Alot of visitors right now may no know about the restrictions, but on second thought, if there is signage and little red flags in the fire pits, that should clue them in.

I would think given how things have gone the last ten years that if I were camping here I would take a lively interest in the weather forecasts and fire danger and restrictions.

I'd also be really nervous about camping somewhere in the upper Chewuch or Twisp rivers where you could easily be trapped by an active fire downstream and have no safe way out. That's something I wouldn't have considered 25 years ago or even 10 years ago but now I would.

[PAL]

Thanks. This is what it takes. Alot of visitors right now may no know about the restrictions, but on second thought, if there is signage and little red flags in the fire pits, that should clue them in.

[Rideback]

No worries, I just got off the phone with them, the number is up and running again and they will send people out to followup.

[mister_coffee]

Hopefully you gave the ranger station a call once you were back within cell range. They'll want to follow up.

I tried but their number (509)-996-4000 has service suspended and "calls cannot be completed at this time." I am not making this up.

Update: number is working again as of right now. I don't know if it is my weird cell connection or what.

[Rideback]

Hopefully you gave the ranger station a call once you were back within cell range. They'll want to follow up.

[mister_coffee]

This morning there were multiple illegal campfires at Falls Creek and Chewuch campgrounds. I politely explained the situation to the people there and also told them just how dangerous it would be to be up there if there was an active wildfire in the valley with them.

[Rideback]

I was up to one of the campgrounds on Chewuch yesterday and stuck a bunch of NO FIRE flags in the fire circles. Probably should have tossed some of the stacked firewood into the river, sigh.

[PAL]

I sure hope that the LEO from the FS, will tell these people no. He does get help from the Dept. of Wildlife as well. If you or anybody sees these illegal campfires, call it in!
Wind gusts to 30 mph up Twisp River this afternoon, 29 tonight. Just think what one spark can do.

[mister_coffee]

There are a bunch of people camped up the Chewuch at the usual places with big piles of firewood. Why am I skeptical that these people will refrain from having fires, ban or not?

I'm still kind of baffled about people who bring a half-cord of wood to a campsite in the first place.

[PAL]

Yay! The last restriction notice OK Emergency Mgt. sent out said that if there is a red flag warning that campfires would not be allowed anywhere. Now let's see if people comply with this busy week-end coming up, out in the woods. Already saw a small Forest Service pumpe-like truck on Mon. going up Twisp River.
I myself, will be keeping watch too. Unacceptable for anyone to have any fires.

[Rideback]

Campfire restrictions extended
https://myemail.constantcontact.com/USD ... 4g7qDWZVkA

[Rideback]

https://www.wunderground.com/severe/us/wa/winthrop

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 9 PM PDT WEDNESDAY FOR
WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR FIRE WEATHER ZONE 704...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from 2 PM to 9 PM PDT Wednesday.

* Affected Area: Methow Valley (Zone 704).

* Winds: Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidities: 12 to 17 percent.

* Impacts: Rapid fire spread is likely with any new fire starts.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now....or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds...low relative humidity...and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.