Act now to protect Roadless Rule and 45 million acres — 10 stunning images show what's at risk

Posted by melanib at Aug 18, 2026 06:00 PM | Permalink

Filed under: Advocacy, Action Opportunity

For the past generation, the Roadless Rule has kept more than a quarter of our national forests safe. Right now, those protections are at risk, but you can take 30 seconds to speak up.

What do Baker Lake, Heather-Maple Pass Loop and Lake Chelan have in common? They are all protected by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. For the past generation, the Roadless Rule has kept more than a quarter of our national forests safe.

But right now those protections are at risk. This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is taking the next step towards removing the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

The Roadless Rule protects superb hiking, wildlife habitat and clean drinking water for 80 million people nationally — including communities in Washington state — by preventing activities like road construction and logging.

And removing the Roadless Rule would come with a big risk: Building roads could mean more wildfires. A 2026 U.S. Forest Service study found that nearly two-thirds of human-caused fires happen along roadsides. (And 95 percent of wildfires are started by humans.)

Comment now to speak up, and then check out these 10 stunning images from areas protected by the Roadless Rule and explore this interactive map from our partners at Outdoor Alliance to find more Roadless Areas around Washington.