Fish and Wildlife said they would take action when necessary. Action has been taken, but was it timely? Read on.

Fish and Wildlife concluded its action to eliminate a pack of wolves in Northeast Washington after an agency marksman killed the pack's alpha male just south of the Canadian border.

Fish and Wildlife Director Phil Anderson said the wolf was shot this morning from a helicopter. Its death brought to six the number of wolves from the Wedge Pack removed in the past three days, including the alpha female.

"Directing the pack's removal was a very difficult decision, both personally and professionally, but it was necessary to reset the stage for sustainable wolf recovery in this region," he said. "Now we will refocus our attention on working with livestock operators and conservation groups to aggressively promote the use of non-lethal tactics to avoid wolf-livestock conflict."

With the latest operation concluded, Anderson said the department would continue to monitor wolf activity in the Wedge region as it is doing in other parts of the state.

The department initiated removal of the Wedge Pack late last week in an effort to put a stop to its persistent attacks on livestock from the herd of the Diamond M Ranch in northern Stevens County. Since July, the wolves had killed or injured at least 17 calves and cows from the herd.

The elimination of this pack leaves the state with seven confirmed wolf packs and four suspected packs, most of which range in the remote, rugged forests of Northeast Washington.

Fish and Wildlife began to lethally remove wolves from the pack in early August, as its pattern of predation began to escalate despite non-lethal efforts by the rancher and the department to prevent the attacks

Ultimately, it became clear that this pack was preying on livestock as its primary food source. Independent wolf experts consulted agreed with Fish and Wildlife staff that removal of the pack was the only viable option.

"Lethal removal will remain a wolf management option, but we will use it only as a last resort, after all reasonable non-lethal options are exhausted," Anderson said.

Hunting season?

The burning question remains: Will there be a hunting season this year? The wildfires have cast doubt. We remain confident most of the seasons will remain open, but some may close. As always we must all remain watchful and attentive when in the Great Outdoors

From Fish and Wildlife:

With unusually dry conditions and wildfires burning in parts of the state, Fish and Wildlife is prohibiting campfires and other activities on all agency-managed lands.

The emergency order, which is effective immediately, prohibits:

Fires or campfires: However, personal camp stoves or lanterns fueled by liquid petroleum, liquid petroleum gas or propane are allowed.

Smoking: Unless in an enclosed vehicle.

Target shooting: Except at shooting ranges developed by Fish and Wildlife.

Welding and the use of chainsaws and other equipment: Operating a torch with an open flame and equipment powered by an internal combustion engine is prohibited.

Operating a motor vehicle off developed roads: Except when parking in areas without vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway and parking in developed campgrounds and at trailheads.

These restrictions are part of a larger effort by state and federal agencies to reduce the risk of further wildfires in Washington. That effort includes a burn ban issued for all forestlands protected by the state Department of Natural Resources in Eastern Washington.