Area and road closures reduced on the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire

Pendleton, Oregon: The closure area and road closures associated with the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire have been reduced to provide access to Umatilla National Forest lands outside of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness not impacted by the wildfire or wildfire suppression efforts.

Recent weather conditions has eased the concern for public access into some areas surrounding the 75,000-acre fire burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and on State protected private lands in both Oregon and Washington.  The Grizzly Bear Complex Fire is burning 20 miles south of Dayton, Washington and south and east to Troy, Oregon.   The fire is now 23% contained.

“There is a lot of interest from our hunting and camping community to access the area for the upcoming Labor Day weekend,” said Monte Fujishin, Pomeroy District Ranger.  “We felt we could make some adjustments to the closures while keeping firefighters and the public safe.”  Panjab and Ladybug Campgrounds will be accessible and open.
The entire Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness remains closed to public entry in addition to some adjacent non-wilderness areas where fire-fighters and large equipment continue work to mop up hot spots, tie in fire lines, and strengthen contingency lines.

A closure description and map of the reduced area and road closures are available at all Umatilla National Forest offices as well as on the Umatilla National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/ and forest Facebook page: www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF.

For more information on the Grizzly Bear Complex fire contact Fire Information at 541-437-0138.