The Brief
- Federal cuts have left one ranger to monitor 900 square miles of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, straining local resources.
- Chelan County faces increased search and rescue operations due to unprepared hikers in the popular Enchantments area.
- Sheriff Mike Morrison is considering closing a main gate to manage safety and workload, while calling for more state and federal support.
LEAVENWORTH, Wash. – Federal cuts have left one U.S. Forest Service ranger monitoring 900 square miles of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, straining resources for volunteer groups and law enforcement agencies in Chelan County.
“When we were up here last week, there was an entire campsite abandoned, so we took the tent, we took the other items that were left behind and its just getting to a point where it’s a breaking point,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison.
What they’re saying:…