Preparing to face wildfires head-on, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has scheduled a live training session for firefighters and aviation crews. This exercise is set to unfold at the Cook Ferry Trails in Cowlitz County on Monday, June 2, provided the skies are clear and dry. An announcement on the DNR's website marked an advisory for those planning to visit the area, warning of increased activity during the training drills.
While Cook Ferry Road to Camelot Drive braces to become a temporary classroom for combating flames from above and ground, the nearby river access remains unaffected, open to the public for those seeking leisure by the water's edge. But, the DNR urges everyone to maintain a safe distance, to rightly avoid potential hazards as choppers hover and firefighters hustle. Drones, those buzzing intruders of airspace, will be banned for the day to ensure an unobstructed sky for pilots in training. If Mother Nature decides to act up with bad weather or if actual wildfires demand attention, the DNR will have to promptly pivot, rescheduling the session.
Residents and visitors interested in the planned activities, or those seeking the latest operational updates, should reach out to the Department of Public Works. You can dial up at 360-577-3030, or opt to click through the digital realm by visiting the Public Works webpage and following the updates on the Cowlitz County Department of Public Works Facebook page. All it takes is a moment to be informed, to not find oneself amidst a sea of yellow helmets and roaring helicopter blades unannounced.
