The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is located in southwestern Washington and covers over 1.3 million acres of land. It was established in 1908 and is named after Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the United States Forest Service. The forest is known for its diverse ecosystems, including old-growth forests, mountain meadows, and alpine peaks.
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest plays a crucial role in maintaining the biodiversity of the region. Its diverse habitats support a wide range of plant and animal species, many of which are rare or endangered. The forest also helps to regulate the local climate, purify the air and water, and prevent soil erosion.
Additionally, the forest provides important recreational opportunities for visitors, including camping, hiking, fishing, and wildlife watching. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Description: Gifford Pinchot National Forest, snowmobiling Rd 83
Image by U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Gifford Pinchot National Forest in Washington in The Pacific Northwest | Landscapes in The West by Jeff Hollett
Image by Jeffhollett – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Three forest clearcut experiments in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Washington: https://www.columbian.com/news/2013/sep/22/dice-clearcut-in-gifford-pinchot-help-make-science/
Image by Tedder – CC BY-SA 4.0 – Wikimedia
Description: Smoke from the Williams Mine Fire glows from flames below and the sun's last light to the west, at sunset on 8-11-24. The top of Mt. Adams is visible north of the smoke, and stars are beginning to appear in the sky.
Image by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Smoke billows from the Williams Mine Fire, obscuring the lower slopes of the south side of Mt. Adams on 8-11-24
Image by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: A firefighter is spraying water to cool the edge of the fire where it is burning through brush, grass, and other ground fuels. Much of the Williams Mine Fire is burning in the Cascade Creek Fire scar, with many dead trees (snags), and brush and grass growing in the open areas. When winds are gentle and the humidity is high, these fuels burn at a low intensity. Firefighters can work on the edge of the fire, slowing or stopping the fire's spread. Wind and lower humidity can make the fire burn more intensely and spread faster.
Image by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Members of the Yakama Hand Crew are carrying rolls of hose up a fire line on the southeast edge of the fire. A hose lay will be placed along the fire line to provide water to extinguish burning logs and stumps. The large woody fuels can burn for days or even months if not extinguished thoroughly.
Image by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: View of the fire from the Mt. Adams Horse Camp on 8/8/24
Image by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: The view of the fire on 8/6/24
Image by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia
Description: Dead standing trees, called snags, can be hazardous to firefighters and could fall at any time. Taken on 8/7/24
Image by Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region – Public domain – Wikimedia