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The USFS is soliciting comments until March 15. CLE ELUM, Wash., February 16, 2024 — The Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest is asking for public input on a proposed fuel break near Lake Cle Elum. The fuel break is proposed to reduce wildfire risk to the communities of Roslyn, Ronald, and Suncadia, as well as other smaller communities and residences surrounding the lake. Over the past decade, there have been nine large fires within 10 miles of the proposed fuel break, including the 36,817-acre Jolly Mountain Fire in 2017. The frequent occurrence of recent wildfires around Lake Cle Elum coupled with dense forest conditions, high fuel loading, high levels of recreation use, and expanding development combine to put communities and the public at a high risk to threats from wildfire. Fuel breaks are designed to slow fire spread and reduce fire intensity to give firefighters safer opportunities to engage in suppression activities and increase the likelihood of successful outcomes. Fuel breaks are not intended to stop a fire. Implementing fuel breaks in strategic locations is part our Central Washington Initiative efforts to reduce wildfire risk to communities and infrastructure as part of the Wildfire Crisis Strategy. Comments on the project are requested by March 15, 2024. Comments can be submitted electronically at https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput... or hardcopy to Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Cle Elum Ranger District, Scott Robinson, Acting District Ranger, 803 W 2nd Street, Cle Elum, WA 98922. For more information on this project, including a higher resolution map, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61998. https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61998