NACHES — Visibly burned slopes and scarred trees along the U.S. Highway 12 corridor provide a vivid reminder of how the Retreat Fire marred opportunities for hunters and other recreationists this summer and fall.
More than 45,000 acres of mostly public land remains closed, denying access to trails and campgrounds, as well as early scouting opportunities for deer and elk hunters a little more than a month before the modern firearm general season begins. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's closures expire Sept. 23, but Oak Creek Wildlife Area Manager Greg Mackey said re-opening depends on safety assessments commissioned by the US Forest Service and Washington's Department of Natural Resources.
"Between now and then it's just a matter of continuing to assess what sort of hazards might be out there," Mackey said. "We're sort of in limbo, to be honest with you."
He said the primary concerns include debris slides from flash-flooding and fire-weakened trees, including those along the popular Tieton River Nature Trail. A wildfire-associated landslide emergency response team report published by DNR earlier this month indicated several areas where the increased runoff and flash flood potential could be heightened for several years during significant storms or times of rapid snowmelt, creating a need for mitigation efforts.
Mackey added a dry September could increase the risk of "flareups" or new fires within the burn perimeter, potentially in areas untouched by fire this summer. It's difficult to know which areas could still pose a threat, since firefighters rely on weather to put out any flames within the perimeter once the fire's fully contained.
The DNR report recommends landowners put up signs to warn users of new dangers, and Mackey said the WDFW's already begun efforts to put out appropriate signage once existing closure signs can be removed. He added they're working with the Forest Service to coordinate closures in a way that makes sense for an area with "checkerboard" land ownership, featuring adjacent parcels managed by the two agencies.
The latest Forest Service closure order expires Oct. 31, five days after the beginning of the modern firearm general elk season. The DNR doesn't currently have a re-opening date for its closures, although it has opened all previously closed areas of the Ahtanum State Forest outside of the fire perimeter.
Hunters who planned on looking for elk within the closure area may want to look elsewhere this fall, even if it re-opens before the season begins. WDFW regional wildlife program manager Ross Huffman it's likely the burn impacts will mean some animals avoid the area, and Mackey confirmed he's seen fewer signs of elk while assessing fire damage.
"In general, there will be less cover and forage available so elk will probably avoid the area, but the fire burned in a mosaic, leaving some habitat intact while completely destroying vegetation in other areas so there will still be wildlife present," Huffman said in an email. "Some wildlife are curious and could be in the area exploring, but likely stay long in high numbers."
Huffman noted the WDFW issued 61 special permits for the Bethel (360) game management area and 321 for Rimrock (364), some of which cover multiple units. Hunters can choose to turn in those permits to get their points back before the season begins, although Huffman pointed out the majority of both Bethel and Rimrock remain open and unburned.
Climbers can access the popular Royal Columns via the Tieton River Nature Trail across the bridge near the Oak Creek Wildlife Area's headquarters, but Mackey said the trail's closed about a half mile to the west, denying access to another climbing spot known as The Bend. Although no regulations prevent people from using the river through the burned area so long as they enter and exit outside the burned area, Mackey said it's not recommended due to the high levels of debris that caused rafting companies to abandon their typical September season.
Four campgrounds or day use areas on Forest Service land, including Windy Point, Willows and Tieton Pond campgrounds, remain closed, as well as a number of trails. Mackey said a large number of downed trees in the Bear Canyon drainage caused damage that will require significant work, noting volunteers would be welcome to help with efforts to clear out that trail.
Although the Level 3 evacuation order forced Mackey and his family to leave their residence near Oak Creek's headquarters, he continued to work at the office throughout the fire and watched as flames climbed the ridges and burned down to Oak Creek. He praised the fire team for protecting most of the area's valuable infrastructure and said the closure area could have been much larger, considering what he's seen with other fast-moving, large fires.
"I wouldn't have been surprised if it was the Naches River and Ahtanum Road," Mackey said. "But I think they recognized that, OK, we've got real values at risk and they put a small box around it and kept it there, so my hat's off to them for that."
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