Category Archives: Environment

First Burn Ban of season hits south Pierce County

Posted on November 26, 2015 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith  ~ The first burn ban of the 2015 wood stove season is about to descend upon south Pierce County. For the first time, the Puget Sound Air Quality Agency is issuing a burn “warning,” as a prelude … Continue reading →

Posted in Eatonville News, Environment, Frederickson, Graham News, Health, Kapowsin, Nature, Politics, Weather | Leave a comment

A short history of the Morse Wildlife Preserve

Posted on October 9, 2015 by brucesmith49

By Wayne Cooke In the middle of Graham lies the Morse Wildlife Preserve, an idyllic area totaling 238 acres. Located on 70th Ave, its central portions straddle the headwaters of Muck Creek. Originally a homestead and farm of the Morse family, … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Graham News, Nature, Wayne Cooke | 1 Comment

Alder Lake Fire continues despite rains – Update Monday August 31, noon

Posted on August 29, 2015 by brucesmith49

 By Bruce A. Smith Update: Monday August 31, noon: The National Forest Service announced today that the Alder Lake fire continues to “smolder” even after torrential rains passed through the area over the week. But the fire did not spread … Continue reading →

Posted in Eatonville News, Environment, Health, Nature, Uncategorized, Weather | 1 Comment

Updates – Smoke and fire threaten southern Pierce County

Posted on August 23, 2015 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith Concern is mounting in Eatonville and surrounding communities as our skies become smoke-filled and many local residents are staying indoors to protect themselves from unhealthy air. The culprits seem to be two-fold – first an 100-acre fire … Continue reading →

Posted in Ashford, Eatonville News, Environment, Health, Mount Rainier, Nature, Weather | Leave a comment

Body of missing climber spotted on Mount Rainier

Posted on June 13, 2015 by brucesmith49

  Special to the Mountain News-WA:  The following press announcement was released Saturday concerning the disappearance of a climber near the summit of Mount Rainier.   ************************************************** Saturday, June 13, 2015, 2:30 pm— The search for Kyle Bufis is being … Continue reading →

Posted in Eatonville News, Environment, Mount Rainier, Nature | Leave a comment

Climber lost on Mount Rainer

Posted on June 12, 2015 by brucesmith49

  By Bruce A. Smith   A climber became separated from his group and lost Thursday night while descending from the summit of Mount Rainier. Kyle Bufis, 23, was in the company of two mountaineering companions, according to Information Specialist Patti … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Eatonville News, Environment, Mount Rainier, Remarkable men and women, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Mt Rainier free this weekend – with two feet of new snow at Paradise!

Posted on April 15, 2015 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News-WA The National Park Service has sent the folowing press release to the Mountain News, announcing the waiver of entrance fees for this weekend in celebration of National Park Week. *****   ENJOY YOUR NATIONAL PARK … Continue reading →

Posted in Ashford, Eatonville News, Environment, Mount Rainier | 2 Comments

Another slide closes Mountain Highway, but this time in the Ohop Valley

Posted on April 6, 2014 by brucesmith49

 by Bruce A. Smith Another press release from the WSDOT reflects the historic levels of rain and mud slides effecting western Washington. Mountain Highway, aka SR 7, has been shut several times in the Nisqually gorge near the Packwood Forest, … Continue reading →

Posted in Eatonville News, Environment, Mount Rainier, Nature, Weather | Leave a comment

Mountain Highway closed again due to mudslide

Posted on March 17, 2014 by brucesmith49

This just in from WSDOT.  -BAS: ****************************** SR 7 closes temporarily following slide near Eatonville EATONVILLE – A 1.5-mile segment of State Route 7 west of Eatonville is temporarily closed following a mudslide earlier today that contained approximately 100 cubic … Continue reading →

Posted in Ashford, Eatonville News, Environment, Mount Rainier, Nature, Weather | 1 Comment

Plenty of snow in the hills

Posted on March 12, 2014 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith Spring may be knocking on our door down here in the flat country, but there’s plenty of snow just above us. Earlier this week, Crystal Mountain Ski Area lost an entire chair lift system and its drive … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Environment, Mount Rainier, Weather | Leave a comment