Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center

Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center is a non-profit based out of Entiat, Washington St. Helens on the Gifford Pinchot NF).

The interpretive center began with the desire to save an old Forest Service fire lookout, by bringing it down from the mountains to an accessible spot along a well-traveled highway. In 1990, Nancy Belt, an assistant fire dispatcher for the Wenatchee National Forest, planted the seed for the project by earning a grant from the Forest Service to study the feasibility of the idea. As she gathered inf

ormation and support for her proposal, the idea grew into much broader dream. With time and exposure, a foundation was formed and the vision expanded to that of a world-class fire interpretive center that would interpret the ecological role of fire and showcase the interactions of people with fire. With strong public support, the concept has flared to reality as the Columbia breaks Fire Interpretive Center continues to develop. To date:


firetower 17 ½ acres of land has been purchased. firetower Three lookouts: Chelan Butte, Badger Mountain, and East Flattop Lookout (East Flattop Lookout is a one-of-a-kind structure modeled after a lookout once located SW of Mt. All these lookouts have been moved to the site and restored. firetower An amphitheater with a portable stage. firetower An educational curriculum and video for teachers, along with a one-day training session, has been developed. firetower One informational kiosk has been built at the site, and another is near completion. firetower A 1/3 mile fire interpretive trail with informational signs about fire ecology, plant ecology, fire behavior, fire history, fire management, and people’s interactions with fire. firetower A 30’ X 60’ picnic/meeting shelter that will eventually be converted to a display center.

06/19/2026
06/19/2026

🚒 Northwoods Community Update

We have received many questions from residents about how to safely clean up fire retardant on their properties following the Upriver Fire.

To help answer those questions, we are sharing an updated cleanup guide outlining recommended cleaning methods for various materials and surfaces. We hope this information provides a helpful starting point as residents begin the cleanup process.

Please review the information and share it with your neighbors so everyone in the affected areas has access to the latest guidance.

Thank you for your patience and continued support as our community moves through the recovery process.

06/19/2026

EMS on the fireline isn't a standby role anymore. It's mission critical.

Longer seasons. Stretched resources. Mental health challenges that don't get talked about enough.
Two NWSA EMS experts are pulling back the curtain on what it's really like to provide medical support on today's firelines.

Don't miss this one. Summer issue of Fireline — 🔗 link in bio.

06/19/2026

Stage 1 restrictions will limit campfires and other activities across the national forest.

06/19/2026

Washington’s lowest elevation fire lookout, artillery fields, and a military es**rt.

06/19/2026

The National Preparedness Level increased to 3 (PL3) today, June 18, 2026, as significant wildland fire activity continues across multiple geographic areas and the potential for additional large fires remains elevated in the days ahead.

While current resource capability remains sufficient to sustain incident operations, geographic areas are increasingly utilizing national support to accomplish incident management objectives. The increase reflects growing demand for firefighting resources and heightened fire potential across several regions of the country.

🔥More National Fire News: https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/nfn



Photo by Kyle Miller on the South Fork Fire in Nebraska.

USFS Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts having their Employee District Orientation. Lots of good information sharing and...
06/17/2026

USFS Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts having their Employee District Orientation. Lots of good information sharing and getting acquainted.

Address

POBox 644, 15212 US # 97A
Entiat, WA
98822

Telephone

+15096704875

Website

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