Lakeside Country Store

08/05/2026

07/15/2026

07/15/2026

News Release from Fire Marshal

Seasonal Burn Ban

July 13, 2026

Effective Wednesday July 15TH all outdoor burning in Cowlitz County will be restricted until further notice. All land clearing, residential and silvicultural burning is restricted and all outdoor burn permits issued prior to the ban are rescinded. Burn permits can be reissued after the ban is lifted.

To have predictable and consistent burn bans, Cowlitz County implements a policy to ban outdoor burning from July 15 through Sept. 30 each year. Designating this period was based on years of information about fuel conditions. However, under certain conditions, a ban can begin sooner or end later.

Recreational campfires are allowed if built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as those typically found in local, county, and state parks and in commercial campgrounds. On private land, recreational fires are permitted with the landowner’s permission if built in the following approved manner:

• In a metal, stone or masonry lined fire pit such as those seen in approved campgrounds.
• Size may not exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.
• Fires must be at least 25 feet from a structure or other combustible material and overhead fuels such as tree limbs, patio covers or carports.
• Portable outdoor or patio fireplaces should not be used within 15 feet of a structure or combustible material. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Fires must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16-years old with the ability and tools to extinguish the fire, such as a shovel and either five gallons of water or a connected and charged water hose.

Please remember - remain in attendance of fire for duration of recreational burning and completely extinguish upon conclusion.

For more information, please contact the Cowlitz County Fire Marshal’s Office at (360) 577-3052 or visit the County’s website at www.co.cowlitz.wa.us .

06/18/2026

Forest Road 99 is officially open for the season! Before you all rush off to the Windy Ridge Interpretive Site, with its sweeping views of both the crater and Spirit Lake, take note of the following (and don't forget your valid Recreation Pass or $5 day-use fee):

⛔ Through the end of the day on Friday, June 19, there will be a full closure on Forest Road 25 from the Forest Road 2508 junction (milepost 7.53) to the Forest Road 26 junction (milepost 7.76). If you're traveling from Randle, WA, take FSR 23 to FSR 28 to FSR 76 back onto FSR 25 near Iron Creek Campground.

🚻 The restrooms at Windy Ridge are currently closed (scheduled for replacement this summer), but restrooms are available nearby at Smith Creek Picnic Area and Viewpoint.

🚧 A portion of the parking area is currently reserved for the Spirit Lake Outflow Project, and some trails are closed on weekdays. See the US Forest Service alert for full details: fs.usda.gov/r06/giffordpinchot/alerts/spirit-lake-infrastructure-project-trail-closures.

Photo courtesy of Saya Heinonen.

06/08/2026

Stay safe and always come prepared!

Today we're recognizing the heroic work of the Volcano Rescue Team (VRT) ⛑️ who responded to MULTIPLE incidents on Mount St. Helens last week:

• Three separate rescues involved climbers who ended up off-route after following glissade chutes and required technical assistance.
• One medical evacuation was needed for a climber who suffered a lower extremity injury while on the climbing route.

Two incidents occurred within just an hour of each other but fortunately BOTH of these groups were equipped with emergency signaling devices, aiding coordination of the rescue missions. Thanks to the VRT, all climbers were safely located, evacuated, and returned home.

The VRT remind folks preparing for a climb to:

• Carry the Ten Essentials
• Use mapping and satellite communication devices
• Plan your route and know your turnaround time
• Stay hydrated and maintain proper nutrition
• Sign the climber registration log
• Let friends or family know your itinerary and expected return time

If you become lost or disoriented, stay where you are. Remaining in place greatly improves VRT's ability to locate and assist you quickly. Take a look at their list of Mount St. Helen's Climbing Essentials before you head out: volcanorescueteam.org/mount-st-helens.

With that in mind, here's what the 🌨️ FORECAST 🌨️ has in store:

Friday 6/5: Light rain and snow moving in by mid-day. Summit high of 26 F with 20 mph winds. Clouds and fog likely to make for low visibility throughout the day.

Saturday 6/6: Rain lower on the mountain transitioning to snow at higher elevations (current forecasts call for 2-10" of snow on the upper mountain). Summit high of 20 F with 20mph winds and wind chill in the single digits. Clouds and fog likely present throughout the day; expect ice on the upper mountain.

Sunday 6/7: Yesterday's storm is anticipated to abate and bring milder conditions, but it may leave the upper mountain icy/snow covered. A partly sunny day is forecast with a summit high around 38 F and winds under 20 mph. Winds may pick up in the evening increasing to 30 mph and fresh snow (possibly up to 6") is forecast late in the day.

Monday 6/9 into next week: Rain, snow, colder temperatures, fog, and windy conditions are projected from Monday into mid-week. With the potential for another 8" of snow by Tuesday morning.

Photo courtesy of MSHI Volunteer Andy Goodwin.

06/08/2026

Store summer hours go into effect this Friday (6-12-26)

06/08/2026

05/22/2026

Vandals tampered with fish collector equipment at Swift Dam, forcing PacifiCorp to close the site to public access starting May 23 — with no reopening expected in 2026. https://www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/swift-dam-closed-to-public-access-due-to-vandalism-security-concerns/