What: Open House on restoration plans and public input following the Scattercreek fire
Host: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
When: Wednesday, Dec. 13, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Where: Swede Hall, 18543 Albany St. SW, Rochester
The wildfire began Aug. 22 in a residential area near Rochester and scorched 345 acres of Scatter Creek. The fire destroyed several houses in the neighborhood and prompted the temporary evacuation of nearly 100 other residences. In the wildlife area, a historic homestead built in 1860 and a barn were also destroyed.
Owned and managed by WDFW, the Scatter Creek Wildlife Area provides a sanctuary for several threatened and endangered wildlife species, including the Mazama pocket gopher and Taylor’s checkerspot and mardon skipper butterflies. It is also a popular destination for hiking, bird watching, dog training, and upland bird hunting in the south Puget Sound area. It has been a frequent location for field trips sponsored by Black Hills Audubon.
You are invited to come and learn more about how WDFW plans to restore the native prairie land that was burned by the wildfire, and to have an opportunity to provide input about this valuable land.