Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest | Ptarmigan Fire Closure on the Methow Valley Ranger District

Ptarmigan Fire Closure on the Methow Valley Ranger District

This closure prohibits entry or use of various trails within the Pasayten Wilderness to ensure the safety of the public and firefighting resources during the Ptarmigan Fire.

The fire closure has been reduced. Please review the closure order and map to see which trails and roads are effected.

Alert Start Date: September 9, 2026

Alert End Date: October 31, 2026

Order Number: 06-17-04-26-39

Contact Information

Contact Name: Methow Valley Ranger District

Contact Number: 509-996-4000

Associated Documents

Ptarmigan Fire Closure Order Ptarmigan Fire Closure Map

Forest Order

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
Winthrop, WA
Ptarmigan Fire Closure

Closure Order: 06-17-04-26-39

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the where Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order supersedes Order #06-17-04-26-27, dated July 29, 2026, signed by Acting Forest Supervisor David Farmer. This Order is effective September 9, 2026, through October 31, 2026, unless rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:

Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.53(e)].
Being on a National Forest System trail, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)].
Using a motor vehicle on a National Forest System road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(a)].

CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION:

There are two closure areas. The first fire closure area boundary begins at the junction of the U.S.A. – Canada border and the administrative boundary with Ross Lake National Recreation Area (NRA) in northwest corner of T41N R14E Section 31. The closure boundary follows the NRA boundary south the intersection of Trail No. 479 in T39N R14E Section 3. It then follows Trail No. 479 east, including the trail, to ½ mile west of Trail No. 2000 Pacific Crest Trail in T40N R17E Section 19. The area boundary then tracks north, ½ mile west of and parallel to Trail No. 2000 until it reaches the U.S.A. – Canada border where it turns west until it rejoins the starting point.

The second closure area begins on the U.S.A. – Canada border at a point ½ mile east of Trail No. 2000 in T40N R17E Section 42, and then tracks south, ½ mile east and parallel to Trail No. 2000 until it reaches Trail No. 472.1 in T39N R18E Section 34. It then bears southeast to the summit of Threemile Pt in T38N R17E Section 1, then east to Mt Rolo in T38N R18E Section 10. From Mt Rolo the area boundary continues east to Blackcap Mtn in T38N R18E Section 12, then northeast to Pass Butte in T38N R19E Section 4. It then bears north to Many Trails Peak in T39N R19E Section 27 and follows this ridge line north until it reaches a point ½ mile west of Trail No. 477 inT39N R19E Section 16. The area boundary then continues north, ½ mile west and parallel to Trail No. 477 until T40N R19E Section 29 where it bears east following and including Trail No. 451. The area boundary bears north and follows Trail No.456 north at T40N R19E Section 28. It then follows Trail No. 456 north to Trail No. 533 east to Bunker Hill in T40N R19E Section 9. At Bunker Hill, the area boundary bears straight north to the U.S./ Canada border. The closure area then follows the U.S.A.—Canada border west until it reaches the origin point in T40N R17E Section 42.

The following trails are included in this closure order:

Trail #451 from junction with Trail #477 in T40N R19E Section 29 to junction with Trail #456 in T40N R19E Section 28
Trail #454 Monument 83
Trail #455 Ptarmigan Ridge
Trail #456 Dean Creek
Trail #461 Border (unmaintained)
Trail #472 West Fork Pasayten
Trail #472.1 Holman Creek
Trail #473 Rock Creek from its eastern terminus to point 1/2-mile east of the Pacific Crest Trail No. 2000 and Coney Basin in T39N R17E Section 9
Trail #474 Eureka Creek
Trail #477 Hidden Lakes from the junction with Trail #451 north of Big Hidden lake in T40 N $19E Section 29 north to is terminus
Trail #478 Robinson Creek from the junction with Trail #474 Eureka Creek in T38N R18E Section 20 north to its terminus
Trail #482 Chuchuwanteen
Trail #484 Monument Creek from Lake of the Woods turnoff in T38NR19E Section 29 north to its terminus
Trail 484.1 Shellrock (unmaintained)
Trail #485 Tatoosh Buttes
Trail #490 Heather Lake
Trail #495 The Parks
Trail #498 Buckskin Ridge
Trail #533 Boundary Trail (Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail) from the high point of bunker Hill located in T40N R19E Section 19 west to its terminus with the Pacific Crest Trail No. 2000 in T40N R17E Section 19.
Trail #749 Castle Pass

**Please note: #2000 Pacific Crest Trail is open to its northern terminus at the U.S./Canada border.

See Exhibit A for closure map.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.
Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. (16 USC § 551; 18 USC §§ 3551, 3571, and 3581.)

Executed in Wenatchee, Washington this 9th day of September, 2026.