Bannock Lakes Fire Burning in Glacier Peak Wilderness
Information submitted by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, File Photo
The 20-acre Bannock Lakes Fire is burning in the Glacier Peak Wilderness on the Chelan Ranger District between Suiattle Pass and Blankenship Mountain. The fire is located approximately 7 miles northwest of Holden Village, 12 miles west of Stehekin, and 45 miles northwest of Chelan, WA. The cause of the wildfire is unknown, but likely attributed to lightening.
Due to the close proximity of the fire, a closure has been implemented on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) #2000 between Suiattle Pass and High Bridge; the South Fork Agnes Trail #1239 is also closed. There is a detour available for hikers on the PCT. Hikers heading north from Suiattle Pass should take the Hart Lyman Trail to Holden Village, from Holden hike on 10 Mile Creek Trail to Hilgard Pass and down Company Creek to the Stehekin Road at Harlequin Bridge. There is a shuttle bus stop at Harlequin Bridge. Hikers can also take the Holden shuttle bus to Lucerne, and the Lady of the Lake Ferry to Stehekin.
Meals/services may be available in Holden Village. There is a Forest Service campground available three quarters of a mile west of Holden Village at the Hart Lyman trailhead. Hikers should avoid camping on or near the Holden Village special use permit area.
The fire is burning slowly in heavy timber, dead standing trees (also known as snags), and down logs in steep inaccessible terrain. Due to the isolated location within the Glacier Peak Wilderness and the limited number of firefighting resources available throughout the western US, active firefighting is not engaged but the fire is being monitored. Fire managers will be using available resources, such as aerial monitoring and satellite imagery to monitor the fire.
