Smoky Skies Across Upper Kittitas County

If you’ve noticed hazy skies or the smell of smoke this morning, you’re not alone. Smoke from several wildfires burning across Washington is impacting air quality throughout our region.

Air quality can change quickly depending on fire activity and shifting winds, so it’s important to stay informed and take steps to protect your health.

If smoke is affecting your area:
• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed when possible.
• Run air conditioning on recirculate or use a HEPA air purifier if available.
• Limit strenuous outdoor activities, especially if you have asthma, heart disease, or other respiratory conditions.
• Keep an eye on children, older adults, and anyone with underlying health conditions, as they are more sensitive to smoke.

Before spending extended time outdoors, check current air quality conditions using the EPA’s Fire and Smoke Map:
https://fire.airnow.gov/

Remember—conditions can vary significantly, even within a few miles. Checking current air quality before heading outside can help you make informed decisions and protect your health.

Stay safe, stay informed, and continue to monitor official sources for updates.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has updated the closure order for the Three Queens Fire in the Cle Elum Ranger District. About 50 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail between Snoqualmie Pass and Deception Pass are closed. All trails and all developed recreation sites within the closure area are closed, along with Forest Service roads and off-road vehicle access.

The closure protects public safety and supports firefighters working in steep and hazardous terrain. Maps and full details are available on the Forest’s alerts page: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts/three-queens-fire-area-closure-cle-elum-ranger-district

Please follow fire restrictions, use caution near fire-affected areas, and report any wildfire by calling 911.

THREE QUEENS FIRE CLOSURE ANNOUNCED BY US FOREST SERVICE
**Please Share to spread awareness**

The USFS has announced the closure of a large area to ensure the safety of the public and to protect firefighting operations in the Three Queens Fire which is active on both sides of Lake Kachess. The order closes the public lands surrounding all of Lake Kachess, the western and southern sides of Lake Cle Elum, and the wilderness extending north from the lakes to the Pacific Crest Trail.

USFS personnel will be manning road closures and patrolling the impacted area to enforce the closure. Please stay out of the area for your safety and the safety of the federal, state, and local firefighters working to manage and contain this challenging fire.

Here is the USFS Closure Order including the extensive lists of trails, roads, and recreation facilities affected:

THREE QUEENS FIRE CLOSURE ORDER # 06-17-03-2026-32

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective August 11, 2026 and will remain in effect through October 31, 2026, unless rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:
1. Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.53(e)].
2. Being on a National Forest System Trail, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)].
3. Being on a National Forest System Road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(e)].
4. Use of vehicle off of National Forest System Roads as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.56].

CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:
The closure begins at the junction of the Pacific Crest Trail North #2000 in T. 22 N. R 11 E. Sec. 4 WM and Interstate 90. It then follows the north and east sides of Interstate 90 to where it intersects the forest boundary in T. 20 N. R. 13 E. Sec. 3. It then follows the forest boundary east along the north edge of Sections 3, 2, and 1. It then turns south along the eastern edge of sections 1 and 12. It then turns east and follows the north, then east edge of section 18 in T. 20 N. R 14 E.
It then follows the forest boundary north of the Yakima River in Sec 17, T. 20 N R. 14E. It then follows the forest boundary north along the west edge of sections 16 and 9 in T 20 N. R 14 E. It then turns east on the north edge of section 9 and follows the north edge of sections 9, 10 to where it intersects the Forest boundary in T. 20 N, R. 14 E., Sec 10. Then it follows the forest boundary to the west edge of SR 903 in T. 20 N. R 14 E. Sec. 2. It then follows the east edge of SR 903 north to the intersection of FSR 4330 at T 22 R, 14, sec 16. The closure then follows FSR 4330 to its terminus at the Deception Pass Trail head in T 24 N, R 14 E, Sec 28. It then follows the Deception Pass trail 1376 to its intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 and forest boundary in T. 24 N. R 14 E Sec. 6. It then follows the forest boundary south to the beginning of the closure in T. 22 N. R 11. E Sec. 4.

TRAILS CLOSED:
• Little Kachess Trail 1312
• Rachel Lake Trail 1313
• Mineral Creek Trail 1331
• Lake Lillian Trail 1332
• Gold Creek Valley Trail 1314
• Pete Lake Trail 1323
• Thorp Creek Trail 1316
• Knox Creek Trail 1315.1
• French Cabin Creek Trail 1305
• Little Joe Lake Trail 1330.1
• Kachess Ridge Trail 1315
• Red Mountain Trail 1330
• Alaska Lake Trail 1314.1
• Cooper River Trail 1327
• Pacific Crest Trail #2000 – Snoqualmie Pass to Deception Pass
• Escondido Lake Trail 1320
• Tired Creek Trail 1317
• Waptus Pass Trail 1329
• Lemah Meadows 1323.2
• Waptus Burn Trail 1329.3
• Polallie Ridge Trail 1309
• Spinola Creek Trail 1310.1
• Peggy’s Pond Trail 1375
• Spade Lake Trail 1337
• Trail Creek Trail 1322
• Michael Lake Trail 1336
• Cathedral Pass Trail 1345
• Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1362
• Lake Vicente Trail 1365
• Deception Pass Trail 1376
• Davis Peak Trail 1324
• Kachess Ridge Trail 1315
• Easton Ridge Trail 1212
• Domerie Peak 1308
• Spectacle Lake 1306
• Glacier Lake 1360

FOREST SERVICE ROADS CLOSED:
• 128
• 4300
• 4308
• 4312
• 4315
• 4316
• 4316-111
• 4300-126
• 4600
• 4613
• 4616
• 4616-113
• 4617
• 4618
• 4818
• 4822
• 4824
• 4826
• 4828
• 4824-115
• 4832
• 4832-114
• 4832-136
• 4832-142
• 4832-146
• 4900
• 4930
• 4934
• 4936
• 4948

RECREATION SITES AFFECTED:
• Kachess Campground
• Owhi Campground
• Red Mountain Campground
• Rachel Lake Trail
• Mineral Creek Trail
• Lake Lillian Trail
• Pete Lake Trail
• Thorp Creek Trail
• Knox Creek Trail
• French Cabin Creek Recreation Area
• French Cabin Creek Trail
• Little Joe Lake Trail
• Kachess Ridge No Name Ridge Trail
• Crescent Hill Trailhead
• Escondido Lake Trail
• Cooper River Trail
• Waptus Pass Trail
• Tired Creek Trail
• Spectacle Lake Trail
• Domerie Peak Trail
• Trail Creek Trail
• Pacific Crest Trail North - Snoqualmie Pass Trailhead
• Davis Peak Trail
• Cathedral Pass Trail
• Lake Vicente Trail
• Dutch Miller Gap Trail
• Spade Lake Trail
• Lake Michael Trail
• Lemah Meadow Trail
• Waptus Burn Trail
• Polallie Ridge Trail
• Peggy's Pond Trail
• Davis Peak Trailhead
• Easton Ridge Trail
• Antilon Lake Campground
• Salmon La Sac Campground
• Cle Elum River Campground
• Cayuse Horse Camp
• Fish Lake Campground
• Wish Poosh Campground
• Speelyi Beach
• East Kachess Group Site
• Little Salmon La Sac Trail
• Salmon La Sac Trailhead
• Pacific Crest Trail - White Pass North Trailhead
• Rachel Lake Trailhead
• Pete Lake Trailhead
• Owhi Campground Trail

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (16 USC § 551; 18 USC §§ 3551, 3571, and 3581.)

You can access and review the published order at the USFS website here:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts/three-queens-fire-area-closure-cle-elum-ranger-district?fbclid=IwY2xjawTpnY1wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMUh6eW8xRnpOd242VTcyVHNzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYUAlVlrpII4E7_cxgLsgpfxknQFUelhhOWEHNS6_LI4d9FZPIe-RXRF_-QM_aem_mwWlDz1x6YVuCc6lGTT-Mw

There will be a community meeting for the Three Queens Fire tomorrow evening. This event will be recorded and then will be posted to this Facebook for those in the community unable to attend.

August 10th Quick Facts:
Acreage: 2478
Containment: 0%
Total Personnel: 160
Engines: 7
Crews: 5