Leavenworth, WA (November 27, 2024) — Implementation of the Upper Wenatchee Pilot project continues this winter with harvest and fuels reduction work taking place on the Meadow DxP (designation by prescription) and Raging DxP Stewardship timber sales, located 20-miles north of Leavenworth, WA, on the Wenatchee River Ranger District.

The harvest units are in the vicinity of the following roads–West Chiwawa #6306, Big Meadow Creek #6300 and Road #62, and the Meadow Ridge Road #6307 to milepost 2.5 from the intersection with Road #6306.

Tree felling and road preparation began on this project in mid-October. Hampton Lumber Company, the purchaser of Meadow DxP, and Gibson and Son LLC, the purchaser of Raging DxP, have operators who will be working weekdays in the area beginning in mid-November through the winter months as conditions allow. The purchasers opted to begin logging operations this winter because operating on frozen ground and compacted snow assists with protecting sensitive soils. Logging operations will continue in this area through summer 2025.

There are many miles of groomed snowmobile routes in Fish Lake and Chiwawa areas unaffected by haul and the Fish Lake Sno-Park, located at the intersection of the 6200 & 6300 roads, will remain open this winter.

“Please be aware that logging trucks will be hauling through the Fish Lake Sno-Park on weekdays and snowmobile riders and other winter recreationists will need to remain alert for logging truck traffic in the vicinity of the Sno-park,” said Wenatchee River District Ranger Erica Taecker. The Fish Lake Sno-Park, located at the intersection of Roads #6200 and #6300, will remain open this winter.

“For public safety due to snowy and icy conditions, snowmobiling on active haul routes is discouraged and recreationists are asked to stay clear of active felling and loading operations on weekdays,” said Taecker.

No log hauling will occur on weekends. The haul roads, which are normally groomed for winter snowmobiling, will be maintained by the purchasers with a base of snow to allow for snow grooming to occur for weekends and holidays, when snowmobile use will be allowed. To view a more detailed map of the timber haul route, visit the forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1216978

The Winter Recreation Program at Washington State Parks coordinates and manages Sno-Parks across the state and in partnership with federal agencies, private landowners, and other state and county agencies. The contracted winter grooming of snowmobile trails in this area usually runs from early December thru March, depending on snow conditions and other factors.  To view a more detailed map of the Fish Lake Sno-Park groomed trail system, follow this link: https://parks.wa.gov/find-sno-parks/fish-lake-sno-park.

The main objective of these timber sales is to thin forest stands to a lower density and reduce fuel loading to help decrease wildfire risk to local communities, and to promote healthy and resilient forests. The Forest Service has been working with Chelan County, North Central Washington Forest Health Collaborative, and other community partners on implementation of the Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project. To learn more about this ongoing project check out the video at this link: https://www.ncwfhc.org/project/upper-wenatchee-pilot-project/