Washington Wildfires

With stories of bears and rattlesnakes and collapsing cliffs, the North Cascades aren't exactly a place many would consider safe. Out here though, these tales can seem like just that - stories.  But within hours of our arrival here, we were faced with a very real danger.  During one of our stops at a rock outcrop along Grade Creek Road, a ranger came barreling down the road in the same direction we were traveling and informed us of a 2,000 acre wildfire in a valley below the road.  The fire was "mostly under control" but after we drove a bit further, the smoke and scarred landscape were clearly evident.  In fact, much of the area we drove through was replete with statues of blackened evergreens.  The only plant life in these areas is low lying brush that grows back after the fires although the ground is often covered in ash.
A few days later, while on a backpacking trip through terrain in the area of 6000 feet of elevation, we spotted smoke billowing in the direction of the Columbia river.  We could not see the actual fire but the smoke grew quickly and spread thinly over the entire area.  It appeared that the fire was put out in a few hours but the sunset that evening was fairly hazy from the remnants of the fire.
Since the fires are commonplace, Washington takes some precautions. Firebreaks, or linear areas where trees are removed, are cut through the area to prevent fires from spreading across them.  Signs are hung noting the wildfire potential in different locations. Campfires must be tended to very carefully or simply not lit.
While wildfires once seemed like a tale to me, I now recognize them as a very real danger that can considerably hurt the environment. Pictures to come if I can find a cord to plug in my camera.

Emily Shorin