________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion,
sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is der
ived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities whorequire alternative means for communication or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USD
A’s TARGET Center a
t (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director,Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
Editor’s Note: Recreation Reports are printed
every other week. August 1, 2012
Weekly, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest firefighters have had to put out abandoned andescaped campfires across the forest. On July 27, an abandoned campfire started a wildfire that spreadto an area full of logging slash. Luckily, due to the green condition of the plants in the area, the firespread to just a couple acres. In a normal summer, this fire would have grown to hundreds or eventhousands of acres.Campfires are one of the pleasures of camping in the woods, but along with the cozy campfirecomes the responsibility to make sure it is COMPLETELY out before leaving the
campsite. Don’t let your
campfire become a wildfire!Following are some things to consider if you are going to have a campfire.
First, check to see if there are any campfire restrictions in effect. Currently, campfirerestrictions are in effect in most national forest campgrounds in Chelan County.
Use an existing fire ring, don’t create a new one. When not in a designated campground,
build your fire within a ring of rocks.
Clear all vegetation away from the fire ring (remove all flammable materials such asneedles, leaves, sticks, etc.).
Select an open level spot away from trees, logs, stumps, overhanging branches, dense drygrass, and forest litter.
Keep your campfire small in size.
Keep plenty of water and a shovel nearby for throwing dirt on the fire if it gets out of control.
Never leave a campfire unattended!
8-1-2012 Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest Recreation Report page 2 of 7
When putting out your campfire you should:
First, drown the campfire with water.
Next, mix the ashes and embers with soil. Scrape all partially-burned sticks and logs tomake sure all the hot embers are removed.
Stir the embers after they are covered with water and make sure that everything is wet.
Feel the coals, embers, and any partially-burned wood with your hands. Everything(including the rock fire ring) should be cool to the touch. Feel under the rocks to make sureno embers are underneath.
When you think you are done, take an extra minute and add more water.
Finally, check the entire campsite for possible sparks or embers, because it only takes oneto start a forest fire.
Remember…if
it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.Escaped campfires are the second leading cause of wildfires in the Okanogan-Wenatchee NationalForest. Please take the time to completely put out your campfire. Remember, a little extra care takesonly a few minutes of your time and it could prevent a wildfire. For more information on campfires,please contact the nearest National Forest Ranger District office.
O
FFICE
A
DDRESSES
and
P
HONE
N
UMBERS
:
Chelan Ranger District
, 428 W. Woodin Ave., Chelan WA 98816; 509-682-4900
Cle Elum Ranger District
, 803 W. 2
nd
Street, Cle Elum, WA 98922; 509-852-1100
Entiat Ranger District
, physical address 2108 Entiat Way, mailing address P.O. Box 476 Entiat, WA 98822; 509-784-1511
Methow Valley Ranger District
, 24 West Chewuch Road, Winthrop, WA 98862; 509-996-4000
Naches Ranger District
, 10237 Hwy. 12, Naches, WA 98937; 509-653-1401
Okanogan Valley Office
, 1240 South Second Ave., Okanogan, WA 98840; 509-826-3275
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Headquarters office
, 215 Melody Lane, Wenatchee, WA 98801; 509-664-9200
Tonasket Ranger District
, 1 W. Winesap, Tonasket, WA 98855; 509-486-2186
Wenatchee River Ranger District
, 600 Sherbourne, Leavenworth, WA 98826; 509-548-2550
T
ICKS:
Forest Service employees are reporting that ticks are very abundant in the woods right now.
Ways to protect yourself from ticks:
Avoid tall grass and shrubby areas.
Stay close to the center of hiking trails and avoid brushing against vegetation.
Wear long-sleeved shirts tight at the wrists, long pants tucked into socks, and shoes covering the entirefoot.
Wear light-colored clothes that show ticks easily.
Examine your body for ticks, and pay special attention to your head (including your scalp), back, neck,armpits, and groin area.
Examine pets closely for ticks on a daily basis, especially around the head and inside the ears.
Wearing an insect repellent also might help. Read and follow all precautions and directions on the label.
8-1-2012 Okanogan- Wenatchee National Forest Recreation Report page 3 of 7
S
NAKES:
Whenever encountering a wild animal, or in this case a wild reptile, it is a good idea to give them the right of wayand not harass or harm them. Recreationists should be especially cautious of rattlesnakes in tall grass, rock out-crops, talus slopes, and low elevation dry site forest ecosystems.When hiking, walk slowly and use a walking stick to probe the vegetation ahead of you, especially when hikingcross-country through thick brush. Also, walk slowly to give snakes a chance to detect you and move out of theway. Remember to watch where you place your hands and feet. If you, a family member, or a friend gets bitten bya rattlesnake, stay calm, and transport the victim to the nearest emergency medical facility.
S
AFETY:
If
heading to the woods, it’s a good idea to
be sure to let someone know where you are going, when you plan to
return and what to do if you don’t return on time. Remember to let them know when you do return. Make sure your
vehicle is in good working order. Dress appropriately for all weather conditions. Avoid cotton clothing and dress inlayers. Stay dry, shed layers if you are sweating, add layers if you are cold. Wear sturdy waterproof boots. Staywarm, stay dry, stay safe and have fun.
W
OODCUTTING
I
NFORMATION:
The Industrial Fire Precaution Level for Zone 675 is
Level II,
which means that woodcutters have to turnoff their chainsaws by 1:00 p.m.
Woodcutting permits are on sale at all Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest offices. The minimum firewood permitis $20 for four cords of wood. The cost for permits over the four-cord minimum is $5 per cord. Generally,woodcutters may cut wood that has fallen to the ground and standing dead trees (except wildlife habitat trees).There are a few things to keep in mind when preparing to go woodcutting:
It is a good idea to scope out an area for wood before purchasing a woodcutting permit (the permits are notrefundable).
A woodcutting permit is required. The permit and woodcutting stubs must be in the woodcutter’s
possession when cutting firewood.
A woodcutting area map is a necessity. These maps show the areas that are open and closed towoodcutting and are available free with the woodcutting permits.
After shutting off the chainsaw, woodcutters need to remain in the area at least one hour to watch for anypotential fire starts from woodcutting equipment.
Please validate the woodcutting stub (load ticket) by cutting out or marking out with a permanent pen themonth and day that woodcutting occurs. The stub must be attached to the load when the vehicle is movedfrom the cutting site.
Don’t forget to bring along the safety items that are listed on the woodcutting permit (a chainsaw with the
proper exhaust system in good repair with a screen-type spark arrestor, a long-handled shovel, and a fireextinguisher).
Please note that firewood cutting season on the Naches Ranger District ends on the first Sunday inOctober.
I
NTERAGENCY
P
ASS
P
ROGRAM
(
America the Beautiful National Parks & Federal Recreation Lands Pass)
:
This pass combines the benefits of existing recreation passes from five federal agencies into one comprehensive
Interagency Pass called “
America the Beautiful
–
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass
.”
The pass covers recreation opportunities on public lands managed by National Park Service, Fish andWildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, and U.S. Forest Service.
The pass applies to those locations that currently have entrance or standard amenity fees.
The annual pass sells for
$80,
the lifetime senior pass is
$10
, and the lifetime access pass and thevolunteer passes are
free
.
Passes provide entrance or access to the pass holder and accompanying passengers in a single, private,non-commercial vehicle at federally operated recreation sites across the country.
Passes cover the pass holder and three (3) accompanying adults age 16 and older at sites where per person entrance fees are charged. No entry fee for children 15 and under.
Passes are
NON-REFUNDABLE, NON-TRANSFERABLE,
and
cannot
be replaced if lost or stolen.
These passes can be used in lieu of the Northwest Forest Pass.
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