Darrington

Sebastian Sanchez, left, instructor Hannah Dreesbach, center, and Kash Willis, right, learn how to identify trees near Darrington Elementary School in Darrington, Washington on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023. Environmental and outdoor education lessons are woven throughout the in-school and after-school activities in this small community, thanks to the Glacier Peak Institute. The non-profit arose from community concerns in the wake of the Oso landslide disaster. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Darrington nonprofit puts kids in touch with timber town’s roots

Outdoor education is the Glacier Peak Institute’s mission. Even for kids living in the shadow of the Cascades, it’s often their first time camping.

 

Tala Davey-Wraight, 3, is thrown in the air by her dad Oscar Davey-Wraight, one of the Summer Meltdown headliners also known as Opiuo, during Cory Wong’s set on Thursday, July 28, 2022 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

After Monroe debut, no Summer Meltdown music fest in 2023

Organizers announced Wednesday they would “take the year off in order to figure out the best path forward for Summer Meltdown in 2024.”

 

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Sauk-Suiattle Tribe alleges state unfairly charges online sales tax

Tribal members on the reservation are charged state taxes despite a federal exemption. The tribe says it’s a sovereignty issue.

 

State Trooper Isaiah Oliver speaks to a BNSF worker at mile marker 31.7 as road closures and evacuations mount in response to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

Federal aid available for groups affected by Bolt Creek fire

The Small Business Administration offers loans to businesses, nonprofit and farms harmed by disasters.

State Trooper Isaiah Oliver speaks to a BNSF worker at mile marker 31.7 as road closures and evacuations mount in response to the Bolt Creek Fire on Saturday, Sep. 10, 2022, on U.S. 2 near Index, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Washington State Patrol was investigating a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles Thursday on Highway 530 near Oso. (Washington State Patrol)

Darrington man identified in fatal 4-vehicle crash on Highway 530

Ryan Gray was driving east of Arlington when he rear-ended a Jeep, according to the Washington State Patrol.

The Washington State Patrol was investigating a fatal crash involving multiple vehicles Thursday on Highway 530 near Oso. (Washington State Patrol)
An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Despite Forterra drama, Darrington timber center still a go

The Darrington Wood Innovation Center is set to manufacture cross-laminated timber for modular homes.

An access road leads into plot of land located in north Darrington that could potentially be used to build a 30-acre Wood Innovation Center, which will house CLT manufacturing and modular building companies on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
People throw sticks for their dog along Edgewater Beach while a ferry emerges from smoke covering Possession Sound on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

‘Worst I’ve ever seen it’: As smoke floods region, Darrington AQI tops 450

Wildfire smoke blanketed the region in one last hurrah Wednesday. Meteorologists predict weekend rains will bring relief.

People throw sticks for their dog along Edgewater Beach while a ferry emerges from smoke covering Possession Sound on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2022 in Mukilteo, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Cars drive along a smokey Mountain Loop Highway on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Wildfires flood Western Washington with smoky skies

Air quality in Darrington was ranked the worst in the state Friday. Most of the region was in a red flag warning.

Cars drive along a smokey Mountain Loop Highway on Friday, Sept. 9, 2022 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
A helicopter drops water on one of three wildfires burning east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)

Wildfires grow east of Darrington, closing trails ahead of Labor Day

Several thousand acres in the Cascades — over 180 near Darrington — were burning this week as a long weekend approached.

A helicopter drops water on one of three wildfires burning east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Community meeting planned Thursday for Darrington fires

A red flag warning was in effect until midnight Wednesday, as the forecast in the coming days looks dry.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
The Suiattle River Fire east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)

3 wildfires near Suiattle River grow from 200 acres to 1,300-plus

The acreage burning northeast of Darrington multiplied over the weekend. Cooler weather moderated fire activity.

The Suiattle River Fire east of Darrington. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest - US Forest Service)
Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118

Air quality back to normal, but fires continue to burn near Darrington

The Boulder Lake, Lake Toketie and Suiattle River fires have been burning in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest since mid-August.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Darrington in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
PCT thru-hiker Manny pulls out a hot pizza at Washington Alpine Club’s Guye Cabin near Snoqualmie Pass on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)

The Thru-Hiker’s Diet: PCT hikers devour calories to fuel 100 marathons

On a 2,650-mile journey, what does a hiker eat? Ramen bombs. Sour Patch Kids. Tortillas stuffed with Lucky Charms.

PCT thru-hiker Manny pulls out a hot pizza at Washington Alpine Club’s Guye Cabin near Snoqualmie Pass on Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2022. (Taylor Goebel / The Herald)
The map shows the location of three wildfires burning in remote forested areas northeast of Darrington. (Washington State Department of Natural Resources)

Trails close as 3 wildfires burn on slopes northeast of Darrington

There was no immediate threat to populated areas. Multiple trailheads and campgrounds have been closed for public safety.

The map shows the location of three wildfires burning in remote forested areas northeast of Darrington. (Washington State Department of Natural Resources)
The summit of Mt. Pugh in late July 2022. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)

Skagit County dentist dies in fall on Mt. Pugh near Darrington

Matthew Gifford, 56, died of blunt force injuries Aug. 13, the Snohomish County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed Friday.

The summit of Mt. Pugh in late July 2022. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald)
People begin to gather on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, at the North Mountain Fire Lookout north of Darrington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

‘A labor of love’: Restoration of lookout north of Darrington now complete

Volunteers spent eight years repairing the 57-year-old North Mountain Fire Lookout. Last week, they gathered to celebrate.

People begin to gather on Wednesday, Aug. 10, 2022, at the North Mountain Fire Lookout north of Darrington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Teenagers tube the waters of the Pilchuck River Wednesday afternoon in Snohomish, Washington on July 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

28 cooling centers open in Snohomish County amid weeklong heat wave

Some places will get into the upper 90s. Firefighters are bracing for swift water rescues, heat stroke and more.

Teenagers tube the waters of the Pilchuck River Wednesday afternoon in Snohomish, Washington on July 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Teenagers tube the waters of the Pilchuck River Wednesday afternoon in Snohomish, Washington on July 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Heat wave to be a scorcher, especially for inland Snohomish County

Officials share tips on how to beat the heat, prevent fires and stay safe at your favorite swimming hole.

Teenagers tube the waters of the Pilchuck River Wednesday afternoon in Snohomish, Washington on July 20, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Tom Nechville and Linda Leavitt jam together in the shade on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Darrington Bluegrass Music Park in Darrington, Washington. Nechville and Leavitt, both now living in Oregon, are visiting the festival for the first time this year. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)

They’re strumming, picking, and jamming again in Darrington

After a two-year hiatus, the Darrington Bluegrass Festival returns. The music tradition is turning 45.

Tom Nechville and Linda Leavitt jam together in the shade on Wednesday, July 13, 2022, at Darrington Bluegrass Music Park in Darrington, Washington. Nechville and Leavitt, both now living in Oregon, are visiting the festival for the first time this year. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019

Forest Service green-lights new seismometers at remote Glacier Peak

The volcano has potential to be one of the deadliest in the nation. Four new monitors could avert catastrophe.

Glacier Peak, elevation 10,541 feet, in the Glacier Peak Wilderness of Mount Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest in Snohomish County, Washington. (Caleb Hutton / The Herald) 2019