At the end of June, the Lyle Hill Fire broke out near the community of Lyle, Washington, and reached our Lyle Cherry Orchard Preserve, which is now closed indefinitely. Here’s the latest.
Some good news first: thanks to the firefighters’ efforts, the fire was put out, evacuation orders in Lyle were lifted, and no lives or homes were lost. We remain deeply grateful to the Lyle and regional crews whose swift, coordinated response protected the community.
Our land trust staff recently made it out to the preserve for a first look at the damage. Walking the trails, they saw that sections will need repair and that the oak woodlands must be assessed for hazards that could pose a danger. This was only an initial visit, and a comprehensive survey of the burned area is still to come.
Because of what they found, the preserve will remain closed indefinitely. Repairing the trails and letting the land heal will take months of work and stewardship before it’s safe to visit again. We know this is disappointing, but the closure protects the Lyle community, visitors, and the recovering landscape. Staying away also keeps limited emergency resources available where they’re needed most. For the foreseeable future, we ask that you please not visit the preserve. When it’s ready to reopen, you’ll hear it from us.
Though the fire left its mark, this landscape is resilient. Fire is part of the natural cycle here, and with time and care, the land will bounce back. The oaks will releaf, native plants will return, and the preserve will heal. For now, we’re giving it the time and space it needs to do just that.
Looking ahead, we anticipate a range of stewardship opportunities where you’ll be able to help us restore the land. We don’t have a timeline for those yet, but you can stay in the loop by subscribing to our email newsletter, where we’ll announce future work parties and share the latest on the preserve’s recovery.
