Stayman Flats fire, August 20. Photo courtesy: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
A large section of the Chelan Butte Wildlife Area was damaged after an assessment by the state Department of Fish and Wildlife on the land charred in the Stayman Flats Fire August 20.
Over 3,100 acres of the 31,000 acre wildlife area was burned. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife reported Wednesday that the fire impacted critical habitats, including grass, brush and riparian zones with native shrubs and trees.
While many native plants will recover naturally, wildlife area staff will focus on weed control, replanting native shrubs before invasive plants can move in. Restoration efforts are expected to last several years.
The fire will affect upcoming hunting seasons. Pheasant releases in the Chelan Butte Wildlife Area are suspended for 2024, while other hunting activities, including deer hunting, will see varying impacts. Bighorn sheep hunting remains largely unaffected, as the herd can still forage in a substantial amount of their home range. Bighorn are likely to congregate in areas adjacent to the burn area, particularly between the burn and Knapp Coulee to the east and to Daybreak Canyon in the west.
Although county roads within the Wildlife Area remain open, they have been damaged.
One historic structure, the Colville/Tin Barn, was lost, and several other historic foundations were exposed. The public is reminded not to disturb or remove any cultural artifacts.
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