Labor Mountain Fire repair work underway as forest closures remain

WENATCHEE — Crews have begun repairing roads, trails and fire suppression damage left behind by the 2025 Labor Mountain Fire, with work expected to continue through June as the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest prepares the area for eventual reopening.

Forest officials said suppression repair work began May 5 and is scheduled to continue through June 1 across portions of the fire area west of Wenatchee, where the Labor Mountain Fire burned roughly 43,000 acres between September and October 2025.

The work is intended to repair impacts from firefighting operations while restoring safe public access and protecting forest infrastructure.

While much of the existing fire closure remains in place, forest officials are also warning visitors to avoid entering closed areas while contractors and crews are working.

“There is currently a fire closure in place for most of the Labor Mountain Fire area,” the Forest Service said in a news release. “While fire suppression repair is occurring, it is especially critical that forest visitors respect the closure so staff and contractors can safely and efficiently get this work completed and the area can reopen as soon as possible.”

Some areas outside the current closure will also experience temporary access restrictions while repairs are underway.

Impacted areas south of the closure include portions of the Teanaway Road area, North Fork Teanaway Road, Stafford Creek Road and Iron Creek. Additional work is planned near Mission Creek and Number 2 Canyon east of the closure area.

Inside the closure boundary, crews will continue repair work along roads near Ingalls, Camas and Ruby creeks, as well as sections of the Highway 97 corridor.

Trail repair projects are also planned for portions of the Devils Gulch Trail network, the Number 2 Canyon trail system and Bear Creek Trail.

Forest officials said deteriorating weather conditions last fall prevented many suppression repairs from being completed immediately after the fire. Heavy rain and snow in October forced a rapid demobilization of firefighting operations, leaving behind unfinished road, trail and dozer-line restoration work heading into winter.

Once repairs are complete, the Forest Service said the closure area will either be reduced or removed entirely.

Current closure information is available at fs.usda.gov/r06/okanogan-wenatchee/alerts.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media