So I have not done much hiking lately because everything is on fire. In Yakima where I am, the smoke is causing the air level quality to go back and forth between "very unhealthy" and "hazardous", and officials are telling people to stay indoors as much as possible or wear a mask outdoors. Highway 410 is closed, cutting me off from Rainier. Teanaway Forest in Cle Elum is on fire, and now the Columbia Gorge is burning. All three areas I wanted to hike are inaccessible.
It's hard to watch these places go up in flames. Eagle Creek Trail, where 153 hikers were stranded when the fire broke out, was a hike I've been desperately wanting to do since May. Oneonta Gorge was also on my wishlist. I've still never been to Multnomah Falls yet.
So I'm just sitting here, not hiking due to the fires and air quality, wondering what to do.
Several hiking groups I am part of are doing fundraisers to help give back. So I am linking to them here so you can help.
Pacific Northwest Outdoor Women (PNWOW) has two fundraisers going to support Washington and Oregon volunteer firefighter associations who are working overtime in this crazy fire season. For Washington, click here. For Oregon, click here.
Washington Hikers and Climbers (WH&C) is organizing a spring reforestation project for the Columbia Gorge. Details are pending as coordination with land management agencies and other officials happens, but you can RSVP to get updates throughout the year for the service project. Click here to visit the Facebook event page.
WH&C also has a fundraiser going for the Ronald & Roslyn volunteer firefighter associations. These communities in the Teanaway area have been affected by the Jolly Mountain Fire, with many residents under Level 3 evacuations. You can support them at this link.
And finally, a HUGE "Thank You!" to all the amazing firefighters out there fighting this enormous blazes. They are doing everything they can to preserve homes and historic structures and fighting fires on some of the most rugged, challenging terrain our state has to offer. I am immensely grateful for them. Keep up the amazing work!
