Carlton, Washington — Methow Valley Community Tested by Fire

Carlton sits in the lower Methow Valley where river, highway and mountains compress settlement into a narrow corridor.

Ranching, timber and transportation shaped the community. State Route 153 follows the Methow River because the terrain leaves few sensible alternatives.

Wildfire has become part of Carlton's modern identity, especially since the 2014 Carlton Complex burned across an enormous area of north-central Washington, destroying homes and infrastructure throughout the region.

The event attached Carlton's name to one of Washington's largest wildfire disasters.

But a disaster name is not the whole community. Homes were rebuilt, ranches remained and daily life continued along the Methow. Carlton is still the place beside the river after the smoke cleared.