Tumwater Canyon closure extends emergency response times

LAKE WENATCHEE — Since mid-December, floodwaters of the Wenatchee River washed out sections of US-2 in Tumwater Canyon, travelers have relied on Chumstick Highway as a detour.

However, increased traffic, coupled with reduced access, has complicated emergency response times in the Lake Wenatchee and Plain area.

“We’ve been reduced to one way in and one way out…At times, that’s been reduced to no ways in and no ways out,” said Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue (LWFR) Fire Chief David Walker.

Walker said the district has responded to several cardiac events and vehicle accidents in recent weeks, which have required rapid emergency medical response. The first 60 minutes after a trauma occurs, known as the “golden hour,” is considered the most critical period for improving patient outcomes. However, road conditions have challenged that window, said Walker.

“We are outside of that right now…It does have an impact on the patients we see,” said Walker.

Walker said the road closure has added an average of 25 minutes to emergency responses, with delays sometimes increasing due to snow conditions or traffic accidents. Recently, Walker said it took an hour and a half to transport a seriously injured patient to Wenatchee for care.

While the fire district has navigated momentary closures of Tumwater Canyon, it has had to adjust to a prolonged closure. Walker said the district has aimed to keep more staff – which are primarily volunteers – readily available for response.

It has also tried to increase efficiency during response. While the district has two Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance units on hand, Cascade Medical typically responds to serious medical emergencies with an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit from Leavenworth. Due to longer travel times, LWFR has been responding with a BLS unit and then coordinating a rendezvous with Cascade Medical’s ALS unit. Walker said the district can also call for a helicopter when necessary, but winter weather often restricts this option.

“Understand that there is a longer response time to get to definitive care, so make good choices,” said Walker.

For now, LWFR is asking travelers to slow down while driving Chumstick Highway and Beaver Valley Road, especially as they come into the community of Plain. 

On Jan. 5, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) temporarily lowered the speed limit on a portion of Beaver Valley Road. From approximately Pobst Place to the Wenatchee River Bridge near Plain, the speed limit is currently 35 miles per hour.

“Due to concerns from residents, WSDOT put the reduced speed limit in place after discussions with Chelan County Public Works,” the county department wrote in an update.

When the Tumwater Canyon section of US-2 is closed, WSDOT assumes responsibility for the detour route, including maintenance. WSDOT also hired a contractor to repair sections of Chumstick Highway that were damaged from December’s heavy rains and increased traffic.

“I have to hand it to the DOT and the county. For how much damage was done, they have done an amazing job getting things repaired,” said Walker.

The fire chief hopes the prolonged closure will spur more discussion on safety and traffic on Chumstick Highway, including potential widening, improvements, and defining the appropriate level of traffic the highway can support.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media