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Methow Valley Ranger District Fire Danger & Restrictions
ClosureSafety brief
Updated
High fire danger today.
Active fires in the Methow Valley include Border 2 (8,043 acres, 73% contained), Luna (7,722 acres, 34% contained), and SISI (2,748 acres, 11% contained), all showing growth but also increased containment. Fire danger is high, and all campfires are prohibited forest-wide under Stage 2 restrictions. Some areas, like the Ptarmigan Fire closure and Sinlahekin Fire closure, have additional restrictions on trails and roads. Pressurized liquid fuel stoves are allowed with safety conditions, but target shooting is prohibited except for lawful hunting. Always check specific area closures and current conditions before your trip.
Restrictions
Campfires and Stoves
Equipment and Work
Shooting and Closures
Backcountry campfiresProhibited
Backcountry campfires prohibited forest-wide under Stage 2.
Campground campfiresProhibited
Campground campfires prohibited forest-wide under Stage 2.
Propane fuel and camp stovesRestricted
Pressurized liquid fuel stoves allowed with safety conditions.
Conditions
- Used in areas barren or cleared of all overhead and surrounding flammable material within 3 feet
- Must have functioning on-off switch or valve that can extinguish fire immediately
ExplosivesProhibited
Explosives prohibited forest-wide.
Target shootingProhibited
Firearm discharge prohibited except lawful hunting.
Exceptions
- Persons with valid hunting license legally attempting to take game
Forest closures and access limitsRestricted
Ptarmigan Fire closure prohibits entry/use of trails and roads in defined Pasayten Wilderness area. Sinlahekin Fire closure prohibits entry/use of roads, trails, campgrounds in defined area.
Conditions
- Ptarmigan closure: trails, roads, and entry within defined area through Oct 30
- Sinlahekin closure: trails, roads, campgrounds, and entry within defined area through Oct 31
Exceptions
- Federal, state, local officers and organized rescue/firefighting forces in official duty
- Persons with FS Permit FS-7700-48
Restrictions last checked
Near-surface wildfire smoke forecast
Estimated AQI*
40max avg 7.2 µg/m³ around 2 AM
Good wildfire smoke
Forecast updated Sep 9, 2026, 6:59 PM
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading.
| Local time | District average | p10 | p90 | Estimated AQI* | Smoke category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 7:00 PM | 0.6 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 1.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 8:00 PM | 0.8 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈4 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 9:00 PM | 1.4 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 4.1 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈8 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 10:00 PM | 2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈11 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 9, 11:00 PM | 3.7 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 12 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈21 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 AM | 5.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 21 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈28 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 AM | 6.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 25 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈34 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 AM | 7.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 25 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈40 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 AM | 6.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 19 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈34 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 AM | 3.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈18 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 AM | 1.6 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 4.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈9 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 AM | 1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 2.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈6 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 7:00 AM | 0.5 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 1.3 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈3 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 8:00 AM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.7 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 9:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 10:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 11:00 AM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 12:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 1:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 2:00 PM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 3:00 PM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 4:00 PM | 0.2 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 5:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.4 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
| Sep 10, 6:00 PM | 0.1 µg/m³ | 0 µg/m³ | 0.5 µg/m³ | Estimated AQI* ≈1 | Good wildfire smoke |
* Estimated AQI is an equivalent interpretation of forecast wildfire-smoke PM2.5 only; it is not an observed or official AQI reading. HRRR forecasts near-ground smoke; district values are area-weighted, conditions vary by location, and other pollution sources are not included.
Check current observed air quality on AirNow (opens in a new tab)Recent changes
30-day fire danger history
Last 30 days
Changed from Extreme to High on Sep 5.
Ratings and restrictions are collected from official source pages and may lag agency updates. Always confirm current fire restrictions, closures, evacuation notices, and emergency guidance with the responsible agency before starting a trip.
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