May 27, 2026
ISSUE 22
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IT'S IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
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Pierce County Burn Ban Begins June 1
Columbia Crest Academy Enrollment for Nature-Based TK–8 Program in the Shadow of Mount Rainier
Staff Report
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nincorporated Pierce County residents are being urged to prepare for the county’s annual burn ban, which begins at 8 a.m. June 1 and will remain in effect until further notice. The Stage 1 burn ban prohibits land clearing fires and the burning of yard debris in unincorporated Pierce County. Residents are encouraged to use alternatives such as composting.
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amilies seeking an educational experience rooted in the outdoors, environmental stewardship, and hands-on learning are invited to explore the nature-based program at Columbia Crest Academy, part of Eatonville School District. Open enrollment for Transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade for the 2026-2027 school year is now underway. Nestled in the shadow of Mount Rainier, Columbia Crest Academy offers students an immersive learning
environment unlike any other in the region. Situated on a 14-acre campus in Ashford, the school is uniquely positioned for authentic environmental education experiences with direct access to forests, rivers, creeks, and national park resources. The academy shares a fence line with the Tahoma Woods Ranger Station and maintains an active partnership with rangers from Mount Rainier National Park. Through this partnership, students participate in ranger-led educational
experiences focused on conservation, wildlife, ecosystems and outdoor stewardship. Three major trail systems surround the campus, creating a natural outdoor classroom for students throughout the school year. Students regularly explore the trail leading to Tahoma Woods, the trail to Sahara Creek, and the nearby Nisqually River trail located just across the street from the school.
Pierce County’s annual Stage 1 burn ban begins at 8 a.m. June 1 and will remain in effect until further notice.
COLUMBIA CREST, 3
Northwest Trek Adds Overnight Lodging Options
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KATIE G. COTTERILL/NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK
orthwest Trek Wildlife Park has opened reservations for expanded overnight lodging inside its 435-acre FreeRoaming Area. The Eatonville-area wildlife park debuted its Lakeside Lodging A-Frame last year and has added a cabin and cottage for the upcoming season. The lodging area is located near Horseshoe Lake, where guests may see animals such as bison, elk, deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, caribou and moose. The accommodations are adults-only. The A-Frame and cabin sleep two adults and include kitchenettes. The cottage sleeps up to three adults and includes a full kitchen. Overnight stays include access to Northwest Trek’s core area before and after the visit, along with a Discovery
Tram Tour. The lodging area is inside a gated and fenced portion of the Free-Roaming Area, and guests are required
to remain within the fenced area during their stay. Park staff transport guests and their belongings to and from
the lodging site at arrival and departure. Northwest Trek Deputy Director Rick Dietz said the lodging program gives guests another way to experience the park and observe wildlife after hours. Nightly rates begin at $500 for the A-Frame or cabin and $650 for the cottage. The cost includes access to Northwest Trek’s core area before and after the stay, along with a Discovery Tram Tour.
Barbecues using gas, wood or charcoal, as well as small recreational fires in approved fire pits on private property or in designated campgrounds, are still allowed when safety guidelines are followed. Pierce County implements the annual burn ban in coordination with the Pierce County Fire Chiefs’ Association based on seasonal fire conditions. County officials said warmer temperatures and ongoing drought conditions across the state are increasing wildfire risk as summer approaches. Dry vegetation and low moisture levels make fires easier to ignite, harder to control and more likely to spread into nearby homes, neighborhoods and wildland areas. “We are heading into a hotter, drier summer, and that significantly raises the risk of wildfire across our communities,” said Pierce County Fire Marshal Ken Rice. “When vegetation is dry, it only takes a spark to start a fire that can grow rapidly and threaten homes and lives.” Rice said even small fires can escape quickly under dry conditions. “Even small, seemingly manageable fires can get out of hand in seconds under these conditions,” Rice said. “The burn ban is a critical step we take every year to reduce that risk, prevent avoidable emergencies, and help protect both residents and first responders.” A fixed June 1 start date is intended to help residents plan ahead and remove uncertainty about when restrictions take effect. In 2025, the burn ban was in place from June 1 to Oct. 1. The duration of this year’s ban will depend on fire risk conditions in the coming months. Violations of the burn ban may result in citations and fines. If fire crews respond to an illegal fire, the responsible party may be billed for the full cost of the emergency response. The burn ban does not apply to legal fireworks used during approved discharge periods in unincorporated Pierce County. Residents with approved Washington State Department of Natural Resources burn permits, or properties under DNR jurisdiction, should call 1-800-323-BURN before burning. Residents of incorporated Pierce County cities and towns should check with their local jurisdiction for specific burn regulations.