Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center

Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center is a non-profit based out of Entiat, Washington St. Helens on the Gifford Pinchot NF).

The interpretive center began with the desire to save an old Forest Service fire lookout, by bringing it down from the mountains to an accessible spot along a well-traveled highway. In 1990, Nancy Belt, an assistant fire dispatcher for the Wenatchee National Forest, planted the seed for the project by earning a grant from the Forest Service to study the feasibility of the idea. As she gathered inf

ormation and support for her proposal, the idea grew into much broader dream. With time and exposure, a foundation was formed and the vision expanded to that of a world-class fire interpretive center that would interpret the ecological role of fire and showcase the interactions of people with fire. With strong public support, the concept has flared to reality as the Columbia breaks Fire Interpretive Center continues to develop. To date:


firetower 17 ½ acres of land has been purchased. firetower Three lookouts: Chelan Butte, Badger Mountain, and East Flattop Lookout (East Flattop Lookout is a one-of-a-kind structure modeled after a lookout once located SW of Mt. All these lookouts have been moved to the site and restored. firetower An amphitheater with a portable stage. firetower An educational curriculum and video for teachers, along with a one-day training session, has been developed. firetower One informational kiosk has been built at the site, and another is near completion. firetower A 1/3 mile fire interpretive trail with informational signs about fire ecology, plant ecology, fire behavior, fire history, fire management, and people’s interactions with fire. firetower A 30’ X 60’ picnic/meeting shelter that will eventually be converted to a display center.

USFS Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts having their Employee District Orientation. Lots of good information sharing and...
06/17/2026

USFS Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts having their Employee District Orientation. Lots of good information sharing and getting acquainted.

06/17/2026
06/17/2026

Thank you for donating to the High Rock Restoration Project

06/17/2026

Wildfires can move fast. Having a go bag ready can save precious time. Pack essentials like documents, first aid supplies, water, clothing and chargers so you can leave quickly if conditions change. Learn more at ready.gov/wildfires and stay prepared.

Hotshot Conference 2/25-28/2027 Solvang. CA
06/17/2026

Hotshot Conference 2/25-28/2027 Solvang. CA

🚨 SAVE THE DATE 🚨

The 2027 USHA Conference is officially on the calendar.

📍 Solvang, California
📅 February 25–28, 2027

We are excited to announce that we've secured the venue and dates for what we expect to be one of our best conferences yet!

Over the coming months, we'll be building an event focused on education, leadership, connection, and honoring the Hotshot community. While details are still being finalized, we wanted to make sure everyone had plenty of time to mark their calendars and begin making plans.

More information, speakers, registration details, and event updates will be announced as they become available.

For now, save the date and we'll plan on seeing you in Solvang in February!

06/17/2026

The stresses that wildfire personnel are put under every fire season has quickly moved from the margins of fire research to the mainstream.

An editorial in the International Journal of Wildland Fire says that sustaining the wildfire workforce will require the same mindset applied to other infrastructure: "...plan early, manage actively, support recovery, and learn systematically, season after season."

Read more in Wildfire Today:
https://wildfiretoday.com/wildland-firefighter-health-should-be-treated-as-fire-infrastructure-urges-emerging-research-focus/

Photo: USDA Forest Service

06/17/2026
06/17/2026

If you’re near wildfire activity, don’t fly your drone.

Unauthorized drones put wildland firefighters and aviation crews at risk and can force firefighting aircraft to stop flying, delaying wildfire response efforts.

If you fly, we can’t. And during a wildfire, every second counts.

Learn more: https://knowbeforeyoufly.org

Photo by U.S. Wildland Fire Service

Address

POBox 644, 15212 US # 97A
Entiat, WA
98822

Telephone

+15096704875

Website

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