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PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT -

DNR Enacts Public Safety Closure of Ahtanum State Forest

Popular Recreation Area will Close Temporarily Due to Activity from the Retreat Fire

ELLENSBURG—The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southeast Region has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest due to increased activity from the adjacent Retreat Fire burning near Rimrock Lake.

All Ahtanum State Forest recreation sites will be closed until further notice, except for the Ahtanum and Ahtanum Meadows campgrounds. The closure also extends to the BBQ Flats and Cascade Camp recreation areas and Wenas Valley Green Dot Road system, which the Black Canyon Fire impacts.

“We are asking the public to remain clear of the area in the interest of public and firefighter safety. The Retreat Fire is approaching the Ahtanum State Forest from the north. With so many fire resources committed to fires around the region, we have closed our lands in the Ahtanum out of an abundance of caution,” said Stephanie Margheim, DNR State Lands Assistant Region Manager.

Closures will be marked at entrances and access points, and an estimated time for reopening will be made available as soon as the fire threat is lessened. The public can access the most up-to-date closure information at www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum.