Pinchot Partners

08/23/2026

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08/20/2026

Looking for something to do Friday night? Go check out paint and sip at Longmire, with proceeds going to High Rock Lookout restoration efforts!

Join us for an evening of painting and sipping featuring the High Rock Lookout, the iconic spot on our West Coast IPA can.

Instructor Michele Livernash will guide you through creating your own version of the lookout, no experience needed. Your ticket includes one drink and all painting supplies, so just show up ready to relax and create.

Best part: $10 from every ticket goes directly to the High Rock Lookout Restoration Project, helping preserve this beloved landmark for years to come.

All ages welcome. Space is limited, so grab your spot early.

Friday, August 21 at 7:00 PM
$60 per person

08/19/2026

08/18/2026

We see a familiar, friendly face in this group! Pinchot Partners chair, John O’Brien, joined fellow tribal members for a huckleberry harvest.

08/15/2026

⚠️ Updated closure order near Packwood ⚠️

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has expanded the existing emergency closure order for the Backbone Fire, located north of Packwood and just south of Mt. Rainier National Park. This order is being implemented to protect public safety and to allow firefighters and heavy equipment to operate efficiently in the area. The closure will remain in effect until modified or rescinded.

The closure includes the following roads and trails on Forest Service land:
• NFS Road No. 5290
• NFS Road No. 5290082 (and all associated spur roads)
• NFS Road 1270 from its junction with U.S. Highway 12.
• NFS Road No. 1270 at the junction of the Ohanapecosh River to the North Terminus
• NFS Road No. 1270016
• NFS Road No. 1270019
• NFS Road No. 1270020
• NFS Road No. 1270024
• NFS Road No. 1270032
• NFS Road No. 1270047
• NFS Road No. 1270405
• NFS Road No. 4900035
• NFS Road No. 4900405
• Trail No. 164 Backbone
• Trail No. 164A Backbone Lake
• Trail No. 162 River View

The closure also encompasses common dispersed camping areas located off NFS Road 5290 and the Cedar Flats area off Highway 123, as well as a small section of the Tatoosh Wilderness Area. The complete closure order and a map are available at the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/giffordpinchot/alerts/backbone-fire-area-road-and-trail-closure

Closure signs will be posted at trailheads, roads, and other access points. The safety of the public and firefighters is always the first priority.

08/07/2026

A new fire has been reported near the boundary with Rainier National Park.

A new wildfire, the Backbone Fire, was reported yesterday afternoon on August 5, 2026. Multiple resources are currently on scene, including a 20-person hand crew, a helicopter, and an engine. Firefighters are working to gain access and are engaging in a full-suppression strategy. The fire is estimated to be 10 acres.

The fire is located near the boundary of Mount Rainier National Park, south of Stevens Canyon Road and north of Packwood. Smoke may be visible from Highways 12 and 123.

Please use caution when traveling in the area. Traffic is expected to increase with weekend travel and additional fire vehicles responding to the incident. Stay alert, slow down, and give emergency crews plenty of space to work safely.

08/05/2026

Where there is fire, there is smoke. Sadly, with multiple large fires burning across the state, this means smoke is beginning to impact nearly every corner of our state.

A light northeast flow is causing smoke to settle, with much of the state under an Air Quality Alert. You can check your local AQI by heading to dnr.wa.gov/smoke, where you can also find the Washington Smoke Blog which offers comprehensive information for communities affected by wildfire smoke.

When it is smoky outside, keep the following tips in mind to stay safe:

💡Stay updated on current and forecasted air quality
🚫Limit duration and intensity of outdoor activity
💨Maintain cleaner indoor air by keeping windows closed unless it's too hot to safely do so, and filter the air using an HVAC system equipped with an air filter, or a DIY box fan filter
🤝If you cannot keep your indoor air clean, consider traveling for some relief in cleaner air spaces such as a public building or friend's residence

Photo Credit: InciWeb, Bradeen Hill Fire

08/03/2026

⚠️🔥 Skyo Fire Update 🔥⚠️

07/30/2026

⚠️ Skyo Fire Public Meeting ⚠️

07/26/2026

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Important update below about the Skyo Fire west of Packwood.

To stay informed, follow the Gifford Pinchot National Forest page, sign up for Lewis County Alerts at the link in the comments, or email [email protected] to sign up for email alerts.

Packwood, Wa. – Due to updated mapping from an infrared flight over the fire area, the Skyo Fire acreage is 139. The fire footprint remains within established control lines and containment is 5%.

Since July 23, 17 additional small fires have been reported, scouted, contained and a few controlled. Local responders and U.S. Forest Service crews are working toward full suppression under challenging, densely forested terrain. Some fires may continue to smolder in deep ground layers and could reemerge as conditions dry.

Western Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Joel Basch, continues to provide steady leadership with an aggressive but cautious approach. Joel stresses situational awareness, and attention to safety of firefighters and the public, protection of property and directing suppression efforts. Structure protection is underway as needed. Strategic objectives include summarizing primary incident threats to life, property and communities.

The Lewis County Sheriff’s office has issued a Level 1 “Be Ready” notice for the area adjacent to the fire on the north side of the Cowlitz River. A Level 1 evacuation notice means there is a potential threat in the area, but no immediate danger. Residents should begin preparing now by gathering essential items, reviewing their evacuation plans, and staying alert to changing conditions.

For information about evacuation levels in Lewis County please visit:
https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/
Facebook: Lewis County Emergency Management
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072464765616&ref=embed_page
Gifford Pinchot National Forest Fire restrictions:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/.../giff.../alerts/fire-restrictions
Smoke Information: Wildfire smoke can change air quality quickly. Know your risk and plan ahead. Smoke forecasts and current conditions are available at https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ or
https://fire.airnow.gov/ .

For further information about the Skyo Fire, see the following resources:
Email: [email protected] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiffordPincho