Thirtymile Fire Memorial

On July 10, 2001, high temperatures, low humidity and severe drought conditions caused an abandoned cooking fire to ultimately erupt into a devastating firestorm that swept up the Chewuch River valley, trapping 14 firefighters and two campers.

Four dedicated firefighters perished in a valiant effort to battle the Thirtymile Fire.

The Thirtymile Fire Memorial was constructed at the site where Jessica Johnson, Devin Weaver, Karen FitzPatrick and Tom Craven died in the Chewuch River valley on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, as a lasting honor to their memory.

Thirtymile Memorial rock wall

 

Directions

From State Route 20 about one-half mile west of Winthrop, Washington, turn north on West Chewuch Road (county road #1213).

Drive slowly and with extreme caution from here to the memorial. The road is narrow with sharp curves.

Travel approximately six miles to a stop sign where the county road joins with Forest Service Road #51. Stay to the left on Road #51 and continue north about 17 miles on a single lane paved road to Andrews Creek trailhead. Here the road turns to a single lane gravel road. The memorial is approximately four miles further, on the left side of the road.

Brochure

Thirtymile Fire Investigation Report

Investigation Report - September 2001 [PDF: 106 pages, 7mb]