Spokane-area water access area to close for wildfire-related maintenance

SPOKANE – The popular West Medical Lake water access area west of Spokane will close from April 29 to May 10, 2024 in order to clean up debris from the Gray Fire that swept through the area in August 2023.  

Work at the site includes removing and disposing of approximately 1,100 feet of damaged fencing and concrete posts, removing damaged signs, replacing the damaged gangway to the boarding float, and removing organic material from the tanks of four vault toilets and disposing of it, then demolishing the toilets and filling in the holes.  

Additional piles of debris will also be removed, including dead trees that were cut down following the fire. During this work, there will be no changes or alterations made to the boat ramps. 
 
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) understands that this closure will be inconvenient for some, particularly so soon after opening day of the fishing season. Due to its location near Spokane, this access area gets a lot of traffic. Prior to many people showing up to use the area, WDFW crews would like to clean it up to make it safe and more useable for members of the public. 

WDFW manages more than a million acres of land and hundreds of water access areas throughout the state. By actively managing lands, restoring habitats, and preserving wild places, the Department serves as stewards for Washington’s natural places, protecting the state’s land and water for its human and wildlife populations.