Hello,

A couple of the wildfires in Eastern Washington are major and devastating bird news.

The Apache Pass Fire, which started by undetermined cause, on Sunday afternoon has burned 20,000 acres north of Coffeepot Rd. on BLM and ranch lands. The area is south of the towns of Wilbur and Creston in Lincoln County. Most of the habitat used by the trans-located greater-sage grouse and native and trans-located sharp-tailed grouse has burned. The fire has so far been held at 7 Springs Dairy Road, sparing most of the Swanson Lakes Wildlife Area, although Wildlife Area staff are under Level 2 evacuation orders. They are reporting the fire is 30% contained.

The Barker Canyon Complex, including the Leahy Fire, is jointly about 90,000 acres in Okanogan County. The latter portion started on Saturday with a lightening strike. A strong wind storm on Monday night and Tuesday morning challenged control efforts. The complex is considered 20% contained. This is the heart of Okanogan prairie grouse country.

Habitat destruction has been the reason for decline of Washington's greater-sage and sharp-tailed grouse populations. These conflagrations are a real setback to restoration efforts.

Kim

Kim Marie Thorburn, MD, MPH
509-465-3025 phone
509-599-6721 mobile