USFS update

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LIGHTNING FIRE UPDATE - AUGUST 2, 2025
Lightning storms on July 31 and August 1 ignited seven fires on the Methow Valley Ranger District in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Most of the fires are small, less than half an acre; the largest fire is approximately 6 acres.
There may be more fires that have not yet been detected. Aerial observation aircraft will be flying over the forest in coming days looking for new fires.
Following is a list of lightning-caused fires burning in the Methow Valley Ranger District:
▪ The Tamarack Fire is half an acre and is staffed with smokejumpers and rappelers. This small fire is immediately adjacent to the Pacific Crest Trail near Tamarack Peak, but no closure is in effect. Hikers should avoid the area or approach the fire with caution due to fire suppression activities occurring there.
▪ Center Fire is six acres and is staffed with 15 smokejumpers; a hotshot crew will be arriving there on Sunday to assist with suppression efforts. The fire is located in the Pasayten Wilderness approximately 15 miles northwest of Mazama, WA.
▪ Blue Buck Fire and the Grizzly Fire are both each a tenth of an acre. They have been contained and are in patrol status.
▪ Deception Pass Fire, located in the Pasayten Wilderness 17 miles northwest of Mazama, WA, is a quarter of an acre and is staffed with smokejumpers.
▪ The one-tenth acre Knife Fire is contained and controlled.
▪ The Hunter Mountain fire is one-tenth acre and is staffed with ranger district personnel. It is located 3 miles west of the town of Methow, WA.
A fire is considered contained when a control line has been completed around the fire, and any associated spot fires, which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread.
Recreationists are reminded that forest-wide campfire restrictions are in effect in addition to restrictions on other federal, state, and county managed lands. Please be very careful with any activity that might cause a spark which could ignite a wildfire.
Recreationists are also urged to keep away from aerial resources, such as helicopters and scoopers, utilizing local lakes and rivers as a water source for firefighting suppression efforts.
Forest Service personnel are assisting in firefighter operations on the Studhorse Fire which has grown to over 500 acres. More information about that fire may be obtained from Inciweb (https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incide.../ ... horse-fire).