Upper Entiat Valley - Closed

[NOCK NOCK]

So the FS reasoning to keep the upper valley closed is public danger from mud/debris slides. (folks getting trapped)  SAFETY SAFETY SAFETY

This year the 1st Creek fire has burned the entire south shore all the way to 25mile creek, and there are hundreds of vacation & permenant homes along this stretch which also includes a well documented slide area (Slide Ridge)

Applying the FS BAER reasoning to this fire area, would lead one to believe that this area would also be closed due to extreme danger from mud/debris slides.  Think again.

From Inciweb....
"Because of the burn severity in many areas of the First Creek Fire, it is extremely important that residents who may be returning to the area be exceptionally aware of the possibility of mudslides following any rain events."

SAFETY??  MONEY MONEY MONEY 

Pretty sure we all know this area will not be closed to access.

[muleracks]

Slide Ridge; the name tells you something and mud flows do occur off the ridge (fire or not) but don't worry.  They can't close the entire recreation area up lake from the State Park.  Sure bet the Entiat, Pope Creek homes will be occupied next spring if not sooner.   It is raining.

[MtnMuley]

So, tell me if what I heard was wrong.......The ranger gal is no longer in the picture and went adios. Replaced with about as good of choice as a hunter could ask for. Won't post the name until confirmed what I heard is true. Happened a week or so ago.

[Naches Sportsman]

So, tell me if what I heard was wrong.......The ranger gal is no longer in the picture and went adios. Replaced with about as good of choice as a hunter could ask for. Won't post the name until confirmed what I heard is true. Happened a week or so ago.

I knew she was going to retire since last year. The guy who is replacing her for the moment is a fir guy out of the s.o.

[muleracks]

The new Entiat District Ranger took over last Sunday (Sept. 4).  It is not a permanent replacement but he is expected to apply as one of the candidates when the position is opened up.  It will be at least 4 months before a permanent Ranger is selected.  Randy Whitehall is the temp. ranger.  He has been working the Chelan District, lives in the Entiat Valley, knows the area extremely well.  He seems to believes in the USDA Forest Service goal of providing recreational opportunities to the public.
The current closure should be reduced once the fires are out.

[muleracks]

Here is a link to the current closure which includes the Chiwawa River and much of the Entiat Valley.

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3848859.pdf

[NOCK NOCK]

Entiat Ranger District News Release:

"A post-fire community meeting has been scheduled for November 30th at 6:00 p.m., being held at the Entiat Fire Station, 2200 Entiat Way. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team leader Molly Hanson will present information from the BAER report that affects the Entiat Valley."

I have read a summary of the report, Not good........Anyone wanna bet the Forest Circus will keep ALL upper valley campgrounds (and probably most roads) closed in 2016???

I find it rather ironic that with all their talk of debris/mud flows happening in the fire area.......the current rock slide was no where near a fire area.  Gee them BAER folks sure are smart. 

Give em time and they will put a big ol gate across the valley and close it for good......then scratch their heads and wonder why they no longer have a job.
Rant Over!!

[UBA]

your not going to like this. They already have that big metal gate up right at the sno park.

[NOCK NOCK]

not surprised

[DOUBLELUNG]

It has always been our right to risk our lives in wild country as we see fit.  I am infuriated at the extension of the nanny state mentality to the ability of adult taxpayers to choose to recreate in wild country and assume those risks for themselves and their children.  Get ready for a push to exclude bearing arms on all federal property for "safety".   

[muleracks]

Double Lung is right on; we don't need the Forest Service holding our hand in the out of doors.  Hopefully, the new Forest Supervisor will allow us to enjoy our national Forests.

Entiat Meeting, Monday, Nov. 30th at 6pm at the new Entiat Fire Hall located just above the Forest Service offices in town.  The BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) team is ready to share their plans for the Entiat/Holden/Lucerne (65,000) burn.  They did release a summary of their findings.  linked here:

http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/WolverineFire2500-8Summary.pdf

The meeting is open to the public and this is our National Forest

[steelhead13]

It has always been our right to risk our lives in wild country as we see fit.  I am infuriated at the extension of the nanny state mentality to the ability of adult taxpayers to choose to recreate in wild country and assume those risks for themselves and their children.  Get ready for a push to exclude bearing arms on all federal property for "safety".   

This is exactly right! So are taxes will be lower since we are not aloud access to this land that we pay taxes on, correct?!   

[Romulus1297]

Entiat Ranger District News Release:

"A post-fire community meeting has been scheduled for November 30th at 6:00 p.m., being held at the Entiat Fire Station, 2200 Entiat Way. Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team leader Molly Hanson will present information from the BAER report that affects the Entiat Valley."

I have read a summary of the report, Not good........Anyone wanna bet the Forest Circus will keep ALL upper valley campgrounds (and probably most roads) closed in 2016???

I find it rather ironic that with all their talk of debris/mud flows happening in the fire area.......the current rock slide was no where near a fire area.  Gee them BAER folks sure are smart. 

Give em time and they will put a big ol gate across the valley and close it for good......then scratch their heads and wonder why they no longer have a job.
Rant Over!!

They really came up with a plan

[theslice]

What is the plan they proposed? And do we know if this is final?

[Romulus1297]

Close all the campgrounds for 3 to 5 years and temporarily remove the bridge at cottonwood.