Pasayten's Methow Valley Bulletin Board

Checking in on MV Thriftway and Hank’s about their firewood for sale…

Thriftway has pulled theirs and put behind store

Send Facebook note to Hanks about doing the same thing

Recived notice this afternoon from OK-WEN NF:

Campfires banned in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest starting August 18

PAL wrote: ↑Tue Aug 15, 2023 4:06 pm Me too. He said they were discussing going to Stage 2 which means no fires at all. Discussing. Make a decision.
Thanks for contacting him. We've gotta be proactive.
However, just reading now about the conditions on the Sourdough. What part of "Extreme fire danger" does the FS not understand?
Do they want us to burn up?

the fire burning rules are confusing and information comes from at least 3 different sources, Okanogan County, FS, DNR.

Campfires any where here should be prohibited at times like these.

The National park campground that I stayed at last time on the Olympic Peninsula had red flags in each fire ring that said "no fire".

Make that four different sources.

Me too. He said they were discussing going to Stage 2 which means no fires at all. Discussing. Make a decision.
Thanks for contacting him. We've gotta be proactive.
However, just reading now about the conditions on the Sourdough. What part of "Extreme fire danger" does the FS not understand?
Do they want us to burn up?

I did get a fairly constructive reply back...

Sent.

I wrote the campground manager Zachery Winters at zachery.winters@usda.gov. I hope that is correct. You could also cc Chris Furr the Supervisor.
chris.furr@usda.gov. This is very important for all of us. This dryness and hot days remind me of other times where there were human caused fires.

I'd be glad to, but I'd like to know who you emailed so I can email them too!

Oh, and while we are at it, shouldn't somebody point out to Hank's and the Theftway that by selling firewood they are basically issuing rope that can be used to hang us all? Just because it is still legal in some contexts to have a campfire doesn't mean it is smart and doesn't mean that it is okay to effectively enable the destruction of this community.

If you want to burn the forest down, the least you can do is cut your own wood.

I just wrote the Forest Service asking about further campfire restrictions for designated campgrounds that allow fires. With the status to Preparedness level 4, out of 5 stages, I think there should be no campfires allowed.
I'm requesting others do the same. Here is my email to them.

Hello,
I am wondering if the Forest Service will still be allowing campfires in designated campground and the use of fire rings? This week has been moved to Preparedness 4 level, and I don’t feel comfortable with campfires being allowed, even in these campgrounds.
I know of others I have spoken with, that feel the same way. As you have probably seen the weather reports of high temps above 100 with possible winds, it would be great if the FS would forbid any campfires for the safety of residents that live near these campgrounds.
Thanks,
Pearl Cherrington