October 21, 2009
Tumwater Bridge Repairs
The National Park Service will be conducting erosion control and abutment work on Tumwater Bridge along the Stehekin Valley Road in North Cascades National Park. The construction will temporarily close the Stehekin Road to all vehicle, bicycle, and foot traffic above Tumwater Campground beginning October 26, 2009. Work is expected to be ongoing through mid-November. The Tumwater Bridge endured flood damage and erosion during and since the 2003 flood.
September 09, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update Sept 7
A new fire, the Airport View fire, was discovered on Thursday afternoon, after a lightning storm. It is located in Company Creek, above the Stehekin Airstrip. Four firefighters from the Park and one firefighter from the Stehekin Fire District hiked into this small spot fire and suppressed it.
September 03, 2009
North Cascades Wildfire Update Sept 3
The Brush Creek fire became more active last week. Recent mapping shows it at 304 acres. It created a small spot fire north of the main fire, closer to the mouth of Brush Creek. The Brush Creek fire is still burning within parameters established by fire managers and fire personnel are developing a plan should future fire movement warrant additional action. The other two larger fires that are still burning, the Panther and Elija fires, 220 and 353 acres respectively, have not shown any recent increased growth. However, both fires continue to smolder and smoke. No new fires have been discovered after the most recent scattered lightning. An aerial reconnaissance will take place today, Thursday.
August 30, 2009
North Cascades Wildfire Update August 30
On Wednesday, August 26, the Brush Creek fire became more active, growing by 5 or so acres and crossing the Brush Creek trail below the fire. On Thursday, it exhibited even more growth, and smoke could be seen from several lookouts around the Park. That fire is now estimated at over 100 acres. The fire is still burning within parameters established by fire managers, although it has created several spot fires ahead of the main fire.
August 28, 2009
Cascade River Road to Close at Hard Creek Bridge
The Cascade River Road in North Cascades National Park will close to vehicular traffic at Hard Creek Bridge (MP 12.7) beginning on September 1, 2009. The road will be open September 5-7 during the holiday weekend. The road will be closed again on September 8 through project completion in mid-October. Any cars left up-valley of the construction will not be able to exit Cascade River Road until the project is complete.
August 28, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 28
Wednesday, August 26, the Brush Creek fire became more active, growing by 5 or so acres and crossing the Brush Creek trail below the fire. On Thursday, it exhibited even more growth, and smoke could be seen from several lookouts around the Park. That fire is now estimated at over 100 acres. The fire is still burning within parameters established by fire managers, although it has created several spot fires ahead of the main fire.
August 25, 2009
Last Chance to Submit Your Video Stories
The National Park Service invites people to gather their photographs and videos of Washington National Parks and submit them to KCTS 9’s My Parks! Digital Storytelling Contest by September 1. Students in grades 7-12 are eligible to win prizes—including having their film shown to millions of viewers on KCTS 9—for their films exploring their experiences in nature.
August 24, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 24 2009
Due to low fire activity in the North Cascades National Park Complex this past week, this will be the last NOCA Fire update unless fire activity increases. Dee Townsend, Fire Management Officer, at the North Cascades National Park Complex said, “This has almost been a record year with twenty-seven fire starts in the park. There has only been one other year with more fires (thirty-six) since the park was established in 1968. It has been a good opportunity to allow fire back on the landscape.” She reminds us that the fire season is not over yet.
August 24, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 23 2009
Little to no fire activity has been observed at any of the fires for several days. Fires remain in monitoring status. There are no firefighters on the ground at these fires due to steep inaccessible terrain. One helicopter (Type 3-light) is assigned to the fire to support firefighters if requested. The Panther Comlex has five fires totaling 622.6 acres, light smoke is reported. The Crapper Complex has 4 fires, no smoke visible. The Moon Complex has 3 fires, no reports.
August 24, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 22 2009
Yesterday, an aerial flight was made to observe park fires as well as scout new fire starts due to lighting activity the previous night; only the Panther Fire in Panther Creek was producing smoke. No new starts from lightning activity were found. However, new fire starts from lightning may take up to two weeks to produce visible smoke so fire managers will remain vigilant. Today ground patrols will be made to watch for changes in fire activity. Helicopters are available to assist firefighters by making water drops if requested.
August 21, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 21
Yesterday, patrols were made from roadside vantage points to observe fire activity. No changes were noted in fire activity from the previous day. Three fires continue to produce light smoke: the Elija and Panther Fires in Panther Creek, and the Brush Creek Fire in Brush Creek drainage. Again, no smoke was observed at the other fires: Cascade Creek Fire and fires in the Crapper Complex.
Today, a helicopter reconnaissance mission is planned for the Stehekin area to scout new fire starts due to lighting activity last night. Ground patrols will be made to watch for changes in fire activity at existing fires in the Panther and Crapper Complexes. Helicopters are available to assist firefighters by making water drops if requested.
August 20, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 20
Yesterday, aerial flights and road patrols were made from vantage points to observe fire activity. Three fires were producing light smoke: the Elija and Panther Fires in Panther Creek, and the Brush Creek Fire in Brush Creek drainage. No smoke was observed at the other fires: Cascade Creek Fire and fires in the Crapper Complex. New aerial GIS mapping of the two largest fires in the park found that the Elija fire has increased to 400 acres from 353 acres the Panther Fire has increased 3 acres to 223 acres over the past few weeks.
August 19, 2009
Aerial Rescue from Dorado Needle
On August 17, two Portland Oregon climbers were ascending the Dorado Needle via the SW Buttress Route when the lead climber fell approximately 20 feet. A team of three rangers were flown to the site via the park’s on-call contracted aircraft from HiLine Helicopters. The 36 year old climber was treated and released at the local hospital.
August 19, 2009
North Cascacdes Fire Update August 19
Yesterday, the Elija Fire and the Panther Fire in Panther Creek were producing light smoke. No smoke was observed from the: Rhode Fire, Crapper Fire, or the Cascade Fire. Lack of smoke production does not mean a fire is out. Fire may remain in the ground, slowly burning the roots of trees and smoldering in the duff layer. Today’s dry, hot weather makes conditions right for fire activity to move from the ground into fuels above the ground. Initial attack crews are on alert for new fire starts. North Cascades firefighters will be monitoring the level of fire activity at each fire from road patrols. Firefighters are not on the ground fighting designated suppression fires due to steep, inaccessible terrain. Helicopters are available to assist firefighters by making water drops if requested.
August 19, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 18
Wet weather last week significantly decreased the level of fire activity, while this week, hotter and drier weather is expected to increase fire activity. The North Cascades fire management team and crews will be assessing the current level of fire activity at each fire by aerial and ground observations for the next few days to determine which fires remain active.
August 17, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 17
Yesterday, the park’s Fire Effects Crew that had been on the Brush Creek Fire reported that the Brush Creek Fire in the Stephen Mather Wilderness remains active with sporadic flame lengths up to 2 feet. This fire is slowly backing downslope, burning duff up to three feet deep down to mineral soil. The lowest flank of the fire is currently about 700 feet above the Brush Creek Trail. Today, firefighters will ground patrol the Crapper Fire (2 acres) and Rhode Fire (0.5 acres) in the Crapper Complex to observe the level of fire activity. Later in the week, after a few days of hot, dry weather, aircraft will remap fire perimeters to measure spread of fire perimeters.
August 10, 2009
Mountaineering Fatality in North Cascades National Park
A climber was killed early Sunday, August 9, 2009 in a mountaineering accident involving an icefall.
Craig Luebben, 49, of Golden, Colorado, and Guillermo Benegas of Sandy, Utah, were beginning the Torment-Forbidden Traverse, which is an alpine rock ridge traverse connecting the two peak summits.When Luebben moved onto the upper section of glacier, a 100’ tall, 20’ wide and 10’ deep piece of ice broke off taking the climber with it. A single cam device held his fall, but he still fell approximately 40 feet and was critically injured by falling ice.
August 10, 2009
Fire Update August 10
No new fires have been discovered in North Cascades National Park Complex since Monday, August 3rd. However, several of the existing fires continue to grow slowly and produce smoke. Cloudy weather since Friday has limited most aviation activities, but fire personnel did take advantage of clear skies Sunday afternoon to do some reconnaissance and bucket work with helicopters.
August 06, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 6
No new fires have been discovered in North Cascades National Park Complex since Monday, August 3rd. Continuing warm weather has allowed several of the fires to continue smoking.General haze in the Park area is due to fires all around the area, not just because of fires in the Park. Both the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie NF and the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF have numerous small fires, and there are several large fires burning in southern and southwestern British Columbia .
August 03, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update August 2
Several new fires were discovered over the weekend. New fires include the
Rhode Fire, the Flush Fire and Tank Fire. The Thornton Fire was discovered Saturday afternoon and was suppressed by 4 firefighters, due to the possible threat to Highway 20 and adjacent power lines.
Several other new fires are being managed by Fire Personnel; Elija Fire is 10 acres, located about 4 miles above Highway 20, on the east side of Panther Creek. Cascade Fire, Bouck Fire,and Fourth of July Fire are all small and are being managed.
July 31, 2009
North Cascades Fire Update July 31
In the midst of scattered thunder showers and after lightning storms new fires were discovered. Six new fires were discovered on July 30. The Rainbow Ridge Fire, located above the Stehekin Valley, it is about 1/10 acre and is being suppressed by 2 firefighters.
Five other new fires are all small. Two are in Panther Creek, one is near Colonial Creek, another is in the Cascade River, and another near Bouck Lake.
July 30, 2009
Open Fires Prohibited in the Lake Chelan Area
Open Campfires Restricted at Camps on Lake Chelan in the following three campgrounds along the NPS-managed portion of Lake Chelan:
Flick Creek Camp
Weaver Point Camp
Manly Wham Camp
July 29, 2009
New Junior Ranger Program Launched
North Cascades National Park Complex has launched a dynamic new Junior Ranger Program, which is FREE to the public. Four new age-appropriate activity booklets are being unveiled. The Junior Ranger program goals are for children to have fun in the park and to foster a lasting relationship with the North Cascades. The new program was developed with support from Washington’s National Park Fund and the NPS Centennial Challenge.
July 29, 2009
Wildfire Update - New fire near Newhalem
A new fire was reported in the afternoon of July 28. The Crapper Fire is located about one mile southeast of Newhalem and the North Cascades National Park Visitor Center just up from the Newhalem Creek. The 2 acre fire is in steep terrain making it difficult to place firefighters. Nevertheless, helicopter bucket drops have slowed the fire substantially. Firefighters and aircraft resources will continue to work on this fire until it is out.
July 27, 2009
North Cascades Wildfire Update
Extensive storm activity the past weekend sparked two small active wildfires that are being suppressed.
The Pyramid Fire is south and above Pyramid Lake in North Cascades National Park. The fire is less than one acre in size and burning in mixed live and beetle killed conifer trees.
The Moon Fire is about nine miles northwest of Stehekin in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. This fire is also being suppressed due to its proximity to the Upper Stehekin Valley.
Luna Pilot Fire has burned less than one acre. Panther Creek Fire has continued to burn down to and along Panther Creek to the west – away from HWY 20. The fire is now estimated to be 215 acres in size.
July 23, 2009
Special Use Permit Issued to WeaveTel
North Cascades National Park Complex has signed a Finding of No Significant Impact and issued WeavTel a Special Use Permit for the installation and maintenance of public telecommunications equipment on public lands in Stehekin, WA, which is within Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.
July 21, 2009
Wildfire Update
North Cascades National Park Service Complex firefighters successfully contained the small One Mile Fire in the Stehekin area of Lake Chelan. Panther Creek fire continues to burn.
July 08, 2009
Panther Creek Fire Update III
This is the last Panther Creek Fire update pending further fire activity.
Firefighters hiked the Panther Creek Trail July 6 to the base of the fire. Through their on scene work, it was determined that the fire is 139.7 acres in size. The fire, following a steep drainage, has burned down to Panther Creek. The cool, rainy weather has greatly slowed fire growth.
July 06, 2009
Panther Creek Fire Update II
The fire is approximately 123 acres in size and is burning in a heavily forested area in extremely steep terrain on the east flank of Ruby Mountain above Panther Creek.
During the Independence Day weekend, hot, dry weather caused the fire to grow downhill towards Panther Creek.
A weather system moved through the region late July 5 and was predicted to bring lightning and light rain. The lightning did not materialize though temperatures cooled and humidity rose keeping the fire cool.
July 04, 2009
Panther Creek Fire Update
The Panther Creek Fire located within Ross Lake National Recreation Area, was detected on June 28 and was started by lightning during a series of electric storms that moved through the area earlier in the month.
The fire is burning in extremely steep terrain on the east flank of Ruby Mountain above Panther Creek. The fire is approximately 123 acres in size and is burning in a heavily forested area. The fire is expected to grow through the holiday weekend as we experience hot and dry weather.
June 29, 2009
Cascade River Road Open for the Season
The Cascade River Road is open to the Cascade Pass Trail parking area. The Cascade Pass Trail is a great day hike with spectacular views of peaks and glaciers. The trail climbs steadily to the pass, with views of peaks such as Eldorado, Johannesburg, Magic, Mixup and McGregor. This trail provides the shortest and easiest access in the park to the alpine environment.
June 24, 2009
Missing Hiker Found in North Cascades
A missing hiker was found on Sunday afternoon in North Cascades National Park when he walked out of the backcountry under his own power after six nights in the Cascade Pass area of the park. He made a successful attempt to find his way down a creek drainage to the Cascade River Road and to the rescue crews stationed at the Eldorado parking area.
June 18, 2009
New Vintage Busses Heading to Stehekin
New 'vintage' busses inspired by the charm of early 20th century vehicles that once roamed the Stehekin Valley are heading to Stehekin. The busses have a vintage look but also contain modern amenities such as large touring windows and a windowed ceiling, comfortable seating, and the ability to "kneel" for easy entry. "These busses make a great addition to the Stehekin experience," explained North Cascades National Park Complex Superintendent Chip Jenkins.
June 16, 2009
The North Cascades are Calling: Get Involved
The North Cascades Are Calling!
Be Involved: Volunteer
The North Cascades are calling and there are numerous opportunities for you to become involved as a park volunteer. Opportunities exist along the North Cascades Highway corridor and in Stehekin. “Volunteers are integral to park operations,” explained North Cascades National Park Complex Superintendent Chip Jenkins. “And volunteering is a fun way to be healthy and outside with friends and family while surrounded by the beauty of the North Cascades.”
June 12, 2009
Summer Speaker Series
Free Summer Speaker Series begins Saturday, July 11. Inspired by the forthcoming September airing on PBS of the six-part documentary series, The National Parks: America’s Best Idea, North Cascades National Park Complex presents a free summer speaker series at Newhalem Creek Campground Amphitheater. The lineup includes conservationists, authors, professors, and park resource professionals.
May 29, 2009
North Cascades Environmental Learning Center Recieves LEED Silver Award
The North Cascades Environmental Learning Center – a uniquely designed and constructed facility created by the partnership of Seattle City Light, North Cascades National Park and the North Cascades Institute – has earned the U.S. Green Building Council’s "Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design" or LEED® Silver certification. The award was presented at the celebration and free picnic on May 30th at the NC Environmental Learning Center.
