Commissioners extend burning for orchards fighting blight

WENATCHEE - The spring rains Chelan County has received since April has created an issue for many orchards with trees infected with blight.

To assist in mitigating this situation, the Chelan County Board of County Commissioners approved last week a request from the Fire Marshal’s Office to extend pile burning for these orchards until July 1.

Chelan County Fire Marshal Stephen Rinaldi stressed that it’s important that orchardists coordinate any burning activities with their local fire district to ensure the use of proper burning pile management methods.

“We understand spring weather has been hard on local orchardists, and we want to partner with them,” Rinaldi said. “We just ask that orchard owners remember to talk with their local fire districts.”