Cover photo courtesy of Washington Department of Natural Resources
By Crystal Atamian
Trails near Camp Caro look very different lately since Spokane County Parks has been thinning the forest (smaller trees less than 8 inches in diameter). The goal is to clear out the underbrush and prune lower limbs to create a more open environment consistent with the historical fire tolerant ecology. The benefits are reduced fire risk; healthier trees that do not have to compete for limited water; and improved visibility for trail users, which can prevent unwanted encounters with wildlife and other people.
Ruth Gifford, executive director of the Dishman Hills Conservancy emphasized the importance of safety awareness during this process. “Do not go into areas where there are orange fences,” she says. Heavy equipment can throw wood and debris long distances, and workers wearing hearing protection may not see or hear people nearby. She also urges visitors to leave orange flagging in place, as it marks boundaries. Removing it could cause equipment to encroach on unintended areas.
The fuels reduction work will continue to be visually impactful for a while, says Gifford, adding that the end goal is well worth it. “The result is that the forest will be more open than in the past. It’s shocking now, but the appearance will continue to improve season to season, year to year.” This new openness will aim to keep wildfires on the ground, improve access for firefighters, and reduce the intensity of the fire, protecting the critical ecology.
Dishman Hills is managed jointly by Spokane County, the Department of Natural Resources, and the Dishman Hills Conservancy. With fires in and around the area becoming more frequent — including the Cimmaron Fire in September 2024 — Spokane County has created a Wildfire Mitigation Coalition comprised of fire districts and land managers all over the county to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires in an all-lands collaborative approach.
Gifford encouraged visitors to explore Dishman Hills’ other 22 miles of trails and four additional trailheads for the time being. From the Camp Caro entrance at East 8th Avenue and South Edgerton Road, visitors can still safely access the Ponds Loop, Eagle Peak, and Nimbus Knob trails. Other trail closures will continue for several months, with work near the Glenrose trailhead expected to begin in late winter and spring.
