Methow Valley Summer 2010
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MAZAMA RANCH HOUSE Photo by MacLeod Pappidas
See flames? Call it in and watch our local firefighters spring into action. according to Methow Valley District Ranger Michael Liu. The fires stayed small and the largest was 83 acres. “Thankfully, we had a lot of resources.” Even more resources were available and needed in 2006, when the Tripod Complex Fire was ignited by lightning in July and wasn’t contained until the end of October. It burned more than175,000 acres, mostly on the Methow and Tonasket districts of the national forest. Visitors can get a look at what it takes to fight fires by visiting the birthplace of smokejumping at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base near Winthrop. The Forest Service facility has ramped up this year to 1970s levels with nearly 40 jumpers and is open daily for drop-in tours from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. With the snowpack for this year well below the average, the possibility of more wildfires is above average, according to Scott Miller, manager of the Okanogan County Emergency Services Department. To help save lives and prevent or reduce damage caused by wildfires the department offers tips on what to do before a wildfire, when a fire is threatening and during an evacuation. Information on making an evacuation plan, a designated safety zone, a supply kit that includes 72-hours of emer-
gency food, water, clothing, medications and a plan for pets and livestock can be found on the website’s preparedness menu at www. okanogandem.org.
EXPERIENCE MAZAMA IN THE
SUMMER
Beautiful Mountain Setting
Rooms with kitchenettes
Peace and Quiet
Cabins with full kitchens
Biking, Hiking and Horseback Trails
Bright Stars at Night
509.996.2040 Photo by Marcy Stamper
Last year, about 100 fires started, but most of them stayed small.
www.mazamaranchhouse.com