[pct-l] Fires in the Stehekin Area

[binghamstehekin@starband.net (Dick and Adele Bingham)]

As far as I know the PCT is open in the Stehekin area. The Fire at "Flat
Creek" seems to be increasing in size and intensity. Flat Creek is about 2
miles above the PCT trail junction at Bridge Creek and 7 miles above the PCT
trail junction at High Bridge.

The LARGE fire - Rex Creek I think they are calling it - a few miles below
Stehekin on the East side of Lake Chelan is burning furiously and has grown
to be - supposedly - 18,000 acres. Last evening it was burning from the
lake-edge to the Eastern ridge line. Watching the "rocketship" and
"roman-candle" -like tree-burns and billowing fire-storm clouds rising to
20K=>40K feet illuminated by Alpenglow effects is a sight to behold!

The Chelan "Lake Shore Trail" has to be closed because the fire is consuming
major portions of it at the present time. The sheriff's boat is patrolling
the waters around the fire region to restrict non-firefighting
"lookie-lou's".

If the winds drive the Flat Creek fire toward Stehekin, the PCT may be
closed for a while. Keep in mind these are MY observations and do not
reflect any NPS operations/statements of which I am aware.

Dick