Who we are
- NKC Tribune – weekly newspaper
- Meet the staff
- Tribune Office Supply & Printing
- Tribune Web Services
- Oahe Publishing Corporation – parent company
- Terms and Conditions – website usage, shipping, cancellations
- Privacy Policy
Northern Kittitas County TribuneWe are the community newspaper serving Cle Elum, Roslyn, Ronald, South Cle Elum, Easton, Thorp, Lake Cle Elum, Liberty, Mineral Springs, Hyak, Snoqualmie, Snoqualmie Pass, and all of the surrounding “upper” Kittitas County areas.Frequency: The Tribune is published every Thursday. Home delivery is available by mail, and single copies are available for purchase on our website, or on newsstands throughout the county.
Deadlines: The weekly general deadline for advertising copy and news is Tuesdays by noon. Letters to the editor are due by Mondays at 5:00 p.m., and letters sent by the previous Friday, to give adequate time for any needed contact, are appreciated.
Letters to the Editor: Have an opinion you would like to share with our readers? The NKC Tribune welcomes points of view that are well-reasoned, even if they are controversial. We do not publish views that are hateful or preposterous. We will consider letters to the editor or guest editorials for publication if they have a name (for print, no anonymous letters or those on behalf of others printed), address (city and state printed, rest for our contact purposes only) and phone number (for contact only, not printed unless included as an integral part of the letter). Letters under 300 words more likely to be published. We reserve the right to condense and edit letters and guest opinion/editorial pieces. Electronic submission is preferred, or typewritten letters are appreciated. Deadline for submitting letters is Monday, 5:00 p.m., but we prefer submission by the previous Friday to allow us to contact the author, if necessary, prior to publication date, which increases the letter’s chance of being published.
To submit a letter, email us via our feedback page, mail, fax or bring it in to our office. Be sure to include the author’s name, (for guest editorials, profession and title or group affiliation if representing an organization) daytime and evening phone contact information whichever method of submission is used. Return to top of page
)Oahe Specialty PublicationsProduces annual guides and niche publications for the Kittitas County area, which include the annual EXPLORE! Central Cascades Recreation & Entertainment Guide and the Upper Kittitas County Builders’ Guide along with pull-out sections inserted in the NKC Tribune, and other projects.Tribune Office Supply & Printing Your one-stop source for Office Supplies and quality custom printing in Cle Elum. Conveniently located inside the NKC Tribune news office by Safeway Cle Elum. To learn more, please visit the Tribune Office Supply & Printing website.Tribune Web Services Local provider of web hosting, website design, domain name registration, and more. To learn more, please visit the Tribune Web Services website.Oahe Publishing Corp.Parent company to Northern Kittitas County Tribune, Tribune Office Supply & Printing, Tribune Web Services, and Oahe Specialty Publications, which include the annual EXPLORE! Central Cascades Recreation & Entertainment Guide Website: www.oahe.com Principle owners: Jerri Stoner, Jana Stoner and Terry Hamberg.
Corporate Address:
Oahe Publishing Corp.
P.O. Box 308
Cle Elum, WA 98922
For other contact options, please visit our contact page
Pre-purchase special discount packages and save. The Tribune office is the ONLY Upper County location to get these. Save $10 on Daily Wristbands, reg $45 at the fair, good for UNLIMITED rides for any one day of the fair. Or score a GOLDEN TICKET, good for UNLIMITED rides for ALL 5 DAYS of the Fair! This $225 value package is ONLY available for pre-purchase for $90. Cash or check only. Get yours at 807 W Davis Street, Suite 101A, near Safeway in Cle Elum. The Kittitas County Fair runs over Labor Day Weekend, Sept. 3-7, 2026. For questions about pre-purchasing discount carnival ride packages at the Tribune, call 509-674-2511, open Mon-Fri/9-5.
Forest crews and partner agencies are actively responding to these new starts with an aggressive initial attack to fully suppress fire growth. Of note is the Taneum Creek Fire. The photo below was taken today, August 13, 2026.
Taneum Creek Fire
• Size: 21 acres
• Location: South of Cle Elum and I-90, in the Taneum Creek drainage, northeast of Taneum Junction Campground
• Response: A strong initial attack is underway with engines, crews from the Forest Service and Washington DNR, and three helicopters. Resources are also being shared from the Three Queens Fire.
• Status: We expect crews have the fire fully lined by the end of shift tonight. However, forecasted winds later today could affect containment.
Lightning is expected this evening. Air resources are currently patrolling for new starts, and smoke reports continue to come in.
We will share updates as conditions evolve. Thank you for your awareness and cooperation as crews work to keep these fires small.
(Forest Service photo by Callen Wilkens)
WILDFIRE SMOKE & AIR QUALITY | What Does It Mean for You? 🚒
🚨 TODAY’S AIR QUALITY: AQI 237 — VERY UNHEALTHY 🚨
According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, Cle Elum is currently experiencing an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 237, which falls in the VERY UNHEALTHY range.
With fires burning around us, smoke is something we’ll continue to see here in Cle Elum—and potentially throughout our travels across Washington.
The Cle Elum Fire Department wants to take a moment to talk about air quality and what it means for you and your family.
📸 The photos accompanying this post were taken by Cle Elum Fire Department PIO J. Peterson while traveling across the state last week. They capture just how dramatically wildfire smoke can affect visibility and the appearance of the sky and landscape. The photos were taken in areas where the AQI ranged from 154–266.
📊 What does the AQI mean?
🔴 151–200 | UNHEALTHY
Everyone may begin to experience health effects. Sensitive groups may experience more serious effects.
🟣 201–300 | VERY UNHEALTHY
The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.
😷 MASKS AVAILABLE FOR THE COMMUNITY
Our Cle Elum Vol Firefighters Association is working with the American Red Cross today to obtain masks for community members who need or would like one. We’ll share more information as it becomes available regarding distribution.
🌲 When smoke is heavy:
• Limit prolonged or strenuous outdoor activity.
• Keep windows and doors closed when possible.
• Use your HVAC system or an air purifier with appropriate filtration, if available.
• Consider wearing a properly fitted N95 respirator if you need to be outside in heavy smoke.
• Check current AQI and smoke conditions before spending extended time outdoors.
• Pay particular attention to children, older adults, and anyone with heart or lung conditions.
Smoke conditions can change quickly, and clear skies in one location don't necessarily mean the air is healthy.
Our firefighters are out there responding when you need us. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to stay informed, reduce your exposure when air quality is poor, and look out for your neighbors. ❤️
🚒 Cle Elum Fire Department
Stay safe. Stay informed. Breathe easier.
#CleElumFireDepartment #WildfireSmoke #AirQuality #AQI #SmokeSafety #WildfireSafety #KittitasCounty #CleElum #StaySafe
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.
