The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an updated closure for portions of the Cle Elum Ranger District.
The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an updated closure for portions of the Cle Elum Ranger District as firefighters continue to battle the Three Queens Fire in steep, hazardous terrain.
The closure restricts public access to roads, trails, and recreation sites within the designated area and is scheduled to remain in effect through Oct. 31, unless conditions allow officials to modify it sooner.
A map of the Three Queens Wildfire parameters on Aug. 13, 2026. (Three Queens Fire information)About 50 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) between Snoqualmie Pass and Deception Pass are closed because of the fire.
Trails affected:
- Little Kachess Trail 1312
- Rachel Lake Trail 1313
- Mineral Creek Trail 1331
- Lake Lillian Trail 1332
- Gold Creek Valley Trail 1314
- Pete Lake Trail 1323
- Thorp Creek Trail 1316
- Knox Creek Trail 1315.1
- French Cabin Creek Trail 1305
- Little Joe Lake Trail 1330.1
- Kachess Ridge Trail 1315
- Red Mountain Trail 1330
- Alaska Lake Trail 1314.1
- Cooper River Trail 1327
- Pacific Crest Trail #2000 – Snoqualmie Pass to Deception Pass
- Escondido Lake Trail 1320
- Tired Creek Trail 1317
- Waptus Pass Trail 1329
- Lemah Meadows 1323.2
- Waptus Burn Trail 1329.3
- Polallie Ridge Trail 1309
- Spinola Creek Trail 1310.1
- Peggy’s Pond Trail 1375
- Spade Lake Trail 1337
- Trail Creek Trail 1322
- Michael Lake Trail 1336
- Cathedral Pass Trail 1345
- Dutch Miller Gap Trail 1362
- Lake Vicente Trail 1365
- Deception Pass Trail 1376
- Davis Peak Trail 1324
- Kachess Ridge Trail 1315
- Easton Ridge Trail 1212
- Domerie Peak 1308
- Spectacle Lake 1306
- Glacier Lake 1360
Trails providing access to the affected section of the PCT are also impacted.
The broader closure prohibits public entry throughout the designated area, including travel on Forest Service roads and trails and off-road vehicle use.
An image of the Thorp Mountain Lookout covered in an aluminized structure wrap that has been bonded to heat-resistant fiberglass. (Three Queens Fire information social media page)Numerous trails and developed recreation sites are closed or inaccessible.
Officials said signs have been posted at trailheads, campgrounds, roads and other access points.
Campground and recreational sites affected:
- Kachess Campground
- Owhi Campground
- Owhi Boat Launch
- Red Mountain Campground
- Salmon la Sac Campground
- Cle Elum River Campground
- Cayuse Campground
- Fish Lake Campground
- Wish Poosh Campground, Day Use and Boat Launch
- Speelyi Beach
Law enforcement and forest protection officers are enforcing the closure, with an initial emphasis on educating visitors about the restrictions.
Firefighters continue suppression efforts in rugged terrain within the fire area. Forest officials are asking visitors to comply with current fire restrictions and use caution around fire-affected lands.
Anyone who spots a wildfire should call 911.
The Three Queens Fire began around July 16 and has grown to 3305 acres.
