Cle Elum, Wash. — The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an updated closure for portions of the Cle Elum Ranger District as firefighters continue to battle the Three Queens Fire in steep, hazardous terrain.
The closure restricts public access to roads, trails, and recreation sites within the designated area and is scheduled to remain in effect through Oct. 31, unless conditions allow officials to modify it sooner.
About 50 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between Snoqualmie Pass and Deception Pass are closed because of the fire.
Trails affected:
Little Kachess Trail 1312Rachel Lake Trail 1313Mineral Creek Trail 1331Lake Lillian Trail 1332Gold Creek Valley Trail 1314Pete Lake Trail 1323Thorp Creek Trail 1316Knox Creek Trail 1315.1French Cabin Creek Trail 1305Little Joe Lake Trail 1330.1Kachess Ridge Trail 1315Red Mountain Trail 1330Alaska Lake Trail 1314.1Cooper River Trail 1327Pacific Crest Trail #2000 – Snoqualmie Pass to Deception PassEscondido Lake Trail 1320Tired Creek Trail 1317Waptus Pass Trail 1329Lemah Meadows 1323.2Waptus Burn Trail 1329.3Polallie Ridge Trail 1309Spinola Creek Trail 1310.1Peggy’s Pond Trail 1375Spade Lake Trail 1337Trail Creek Trail 1322Michael Lake Trail 1336Cathedral Pass Trail 1345Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1362Lake Vicente Trail 1365Deception Pass Trail 1376Davis Peak Trail 1324Kachess Ridge Trail 1315Easton Ridge Trail 1212Domerie Peak 1308Spectacle Lake 1306Glacier Lake 1360
Trails providing access to the affected section of the PCT are also impacted.
The broader closure prohibits public entry throughout the designated area, including travel on Forest Service roads and trails and off-road vehicle use.
Numerous trails and developed recreation sites are closed or inaccessible.
Officials said signs have been posted at trailheads, campgrounds, roads and other access points.
Campground and recreational sites affected:
Kachess CampgroundOwhi CampgroundOwhi Boat LaunchRed Mountain CampgroundSalmon la Sac CampgroundCle Elum River CampgroundCayuse CampgroundFish Lake CampgroundWish Poosh Campground, Day Use and Boat LaunchSpeelyi Beach
Law enforcement and forest protection officers are enforcing the closure, with an initial emphasis on educating visitors about the restrictions.
Firefighters continue suppression efforts in rugged terrain within the fire area. Forest officials are asking visitors to comply with current fire restrictions and use caution around fire-affected lands.
Anyone who spots a wildfire should call 911.
The Three Queens Fire began around July 16 and has grown to 3305 acres.