Area and Road Closures Reduced on the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire

Pendleton, Oregon: The closure area and road closures associated with the 75,000-acre Grizzly Bear Complex Fire continue to be reduced as containment lines are strengthened and suppression activities decline. This most recent reduction, effective Friday, September 11, 2015, provides access to Umatilla National Forest lands outside of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness where contingency or suppression efforts have been completed. The fire is now 44% contained.
The arrival of hunting season has brought increased interest in accessing the fire area to set up camps and scout for big game. Forest officials understand the importance of these activities and are reviewing the situation daily to take advantage of opportunities to reduce closures.
Future closure reductions will be based on strategic trigger points that consider the current and predicted weather, anticipated fire behavior, and planned suppression and rehabilitation activities. “Safety of both our firefighters and the public remains our highest priority,” said Mike Rassbach, Walla Walla District Ranger.
The 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.
-USFS-
NEWS RELEASE
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Closure description effective Friday, September 11, 2015:
Area Closure:
The area within the following boundaries; Starting at the FSR 64 & FSR 6415 junction, following the FSR 6415 east to the FSR 6415 490 spur junction. From the FSR 6415 & FSR 6415 490 spur junction following FSR 6415 490 spur north to the Wenaha Tucannon Wilderness Boundary. Following Wenaha Tucannon Wilderness Boundary east and north to its junction of the Township 5 N and Range 41 E section boundaries of section 7 and section 18 (near the end of 6200270 spur). From the junction with Wenaha Tucannon Wilderness boundary and Township 5 N and Range 41 E boundary of section 7 and section 18 east to its junction with the Forest boundary (near the end of FSR 6209-200 spur). Continuing to follow the Umatilla National Forest boundary east and north to the junction of the Wenaha Tucannon Wilderness boundary (near County Road 162 and Umatilla National Forest boundary), excluding County Road 162. Following the Wenaha Tucannon Wilderness boundary north and west to the Teepee Trailhead. From the Teepee Trailhead follow FSR 4608 west to the junction of FSR 46. From the junction of FSR 46 and FSR 4608, following FSR 46 west and south to the junction with FSR 64. From the junction FSR 64 and FSR 46 following FSR 64 south to the FSR 64 & FSR 6415 junction.
Road Closures:
• FSR 4608 in its entirety
• FSR 46 from the junction of FSR 4608 west to the junction of FSR 64
• FSR 64 from the junction of FSR 6436 to the junction of FSR 6415
• FSR 6415 from the junction of FSR 64 to the junction of FSR 6415490 spur
• FSR 62 from the junction of FSR 6222 north to the junction of the Umatilla National Forest Service boundary
FSR= Forest Service Road