Fire emergency area closure within the Methow Valley Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, FOREST SERVICE,
OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST WINTHROP, WA
Cedar Creek, Varden, and Delancy Fires Closure Order: 06-17-04-21-08
Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective July 14, 2021, through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded sooner.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 any National Forest System closed trail, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)].
3. Being on any National Forest System Road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(e)].
FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE DESCRIPTION:
The Fire Emergency Area Closure is defined as follows:
The closure area begins by Early Winters Campground at the intersection of SR20 and the FS boundary on the east side of the campground. It follows the FS boundary north and to edge of T36NR19ES26 and then west to the FS boundary, including the entirety of the campground and portion of Jack’s Trail (Methow Community Trail) within the FS boundary. It then follows the FS boundary as it jogs south, west and then north across SR20 again to Jack’s Trail, where it turns counterclockwise/ northwest in T36NR19ES27 along bearing 283.5 TN for 1.36 miles to the most prominent SE point on Delancy Ridge at 5,023 feet in T36NR19ES21. SR20 and all portions of Jack’s Trail outside of the Early Winters Campground area will remain open.
It then follows the high divide of Delancy Ridge between the West Fork Methow and Early Winters Creek drainages west to where it intersects the Skagit County boundary line, at a high point just SE of Tower Mountain in T36NR17ES26. It then proceeds south following the high point of the ridge between Swamp Creek and the Pine Creek and Cutthroat Creek drainages until it intersects the Skagit County boundary again, excluding the Pacific Crest Trail #2000. The Pacific Crest Trail #2000 will remain open.
It then follows the Okanogan County boundary south until it intersects the Chelan County boundary in T35NR17ES14, and then east following the Okanogan/Chelan County boundary to a high point of 7562 feet in T35NR18ES18.
It then proceeds at a bearing of 139 degrees TN for 2.79 miles to the intersection of Kangaroo Ridge and the boundary of the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness in T35NR18ES28. It then follows the Lake Chelan Sawtooth Wilderness boundary southeast to the high point between the N Fork Twisp River, Cedar Creek, and North Creek drainages in T35NR18ES33.
It then follows the high divide south and southeast between the Twisp River and North Creek drainages to the summit of Gilbert Mountain in T34NR18ES2. It then follows a bearing 95 degrees TN 2.61 miles to Abernathy Peak in T34NR19ES6. The entire North Creek Trail #413 is included in the closure area from the junction with the Twisp River Trail #440 to its terminus.
The closure boundary then proceeds south and east along the high divide between the Twisp River and its tributaries and Wolf Creek and its tributaries, until it intersects the Lake Chelan Sawtooth (LCS) Wilderness boundary in T34NR19ES14. It then follows the LCS boundary north and east, and then north and west, crossing Wolf Creek and Wolf Creek Trail #527. The entire Wolf Creek Trail #527 is included in the closure area from the Wolf Creek TH to the trails’ terminus, as well as all other side trails #527.1 and 528 within the closure area. It then follows the LCS boundary north to the intersection T35NR20ES27 and follows the eastern edge of Sections 27 and 22 north to the intersection with the Methow Community Trail #515.
It follows the Methow Community Trail west to the intersection of T35NR20ES22. The Methow Community Trail is not included in the closure area. It then follows the FS boundary north and west until it reaches Early Winters Campground and the intersection with SR20, and the starting point.
SR 20 is not included in this closure.
The following National Forest System facilities, roads, and trails are included in this closure:
Campgrounds
• Early Winters Campground (North and South)
• Klipchuck Campground
• Lone Fir Campground
Roads
• FS Road 5310100 Sandy Butte
• FS Road 5310200 Cedar Creek
• FS Road 53100300 Klipchuck
• FS Road 53100400 Cutthroat Creek
Trails
• Trail #413 North Creek
• Trail #476 Cedar Creek
• Trail #481 Driveway Butte
• Trail #483 Cutthroat Creek
• Trail #522 Early Winters
• Trail #527 and 527.1 Wolf Creek
• Trail #528 North Fork Wolf Creek (unmaintained)
• Trail #535 Lone Fir
• Doe Canyon Trail
• Jack’s Trail (portion within Early Winters Campground only)
See Exhibit A for closure map.
EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:
1. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
2. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A. Violations of this prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individualor
$10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both (16 U.S.C.
§ 551; 18 U.S.C. §§ 3551, 3559, 3571, and 3581).
Executed in Wenatchee, Washington this 15th Day of July, 2021.
KRISTIN M. BAIL
Forest Supervisor
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest