Methow Valley State Airport has a new runway after a 45-day temporary closure to rehabilitate the 22-year-old pavement. The newly paved runway opened July 3 in time to avoid interfering with anticipated fire season activities of the U.S. Forest Service’s North Cascades Smokejumper Base, which operates out of the airport. Work on the $5 million […]
Smokejumpers
Free music festival staged to support smokejumper base
A free music festival in support of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base will be held at John Doran’s ranch, just north of Twisp on Highway 20, on Saturday (June 16) beginning at 3 p.m.
The event includes performances by Terry Hardesty and the Last Outlaws, Danbert Nobacon and the Axis of Dissent, Sky Kyss…
State airport will close May 14 for runway repaving project
The Methow Valley State Airport between Twisp and Winthrop will close next week for more than a month while the runway is repaved.
The $5 million project is the largest airport rehabilitation project in scope and cost ever …
Smokejumper base improvements are top regional priority
Improvements at the North Cascades Smokejumper Base (NCSB) are ranked as the top priority for aviation-related infrastructure funding this year by the U.S. Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region, the regional office said Tuesday (May 1).
Regional Forester Jim Peña was …
Smokejumper base gets boost from economic development district
A broad coalition continues efforts to fund improvements By Marcy Stamper The North Cascades Smokejumper Base has been named the No. 1 project of significance in North Central Washington for its benefits to the regional economy and community. That top ranking from the North Central Washington Economic Development District (NCWEDD) was cited by a broad […]
Winthrop Town Council scans the horizon, sees challenges
The Winthrop Town Council is intent on finishing some things even as it looks forward to starting some new things.
At a workshop last week, council members said they would like to see more progress on some of the town’s biggest projects, such as the Susie Stephens Trail and the Riverwalk.
Smokejumper base meeting requested
Local elected officials are requesting a meeting in the Methow Valley with the regional head of the U.S. Forest Service to discuss how funding can be obtained to ensure that the North Cascades Smokejumper Base (NCSB) remains in the valley.
The Forest Service conducted an assessment …
Local leaders exploring funding options for smokejumper base
Elected officials and business leaders plan to invite regional and national U.S. Forest Service officials to the Methow Valley to talk about the future of the North Cascades Smokejumper Base (NCSB) and how to find the funding needed for new construction and renovations at the base. A Forest Service study …
Grant will pay for runway, taxiway upgrades at state airport
A $3.9 million federal grant has been awarded to the Methow Valley State Airport to repave the runway, widen taxiways and rehabilitate apron areas.
The runway repaving is expected to begin next May and be completed before the fire season begins, to …
Smokejumper base to stay in Methow Valley, for now
Home to the first experimental fire-fighting jumps in 1939, the North Cascades Smokejumper Base (NCSB) will remain at the site it has occupied in the Methow Valley for the past 77 years — at least for the time being, and only if funding can be secured for needed upgrades.
