Area and road closures reduced on the Harrison Fire

News Contact: Darcy Weseman, (541) 278-3722

PENDLETON, Ore. – Umatilla National Forest officials have reduced the closure area associated with the Harrison Fire to provide access to National Forest lands not impacted by the wildfire or wildfire suppression efforts. A description of the updated closure area is at the bottom of the news release.

“Our communities and visitors have a lot of interest in accessing this area for hunting and other recreational activities,” said Paula Guenther, North Fork John Day District Ranger. “The recent weather has eased some of the concern for public access into the area and we feel we can thoughtfully make some adjustments to the closures while keeping firefighters and the public safe.”

The adjustment reopens National Forest System Trail (NFST) 3002 (Lost Creek Trail) and NFST 3173 (Ben Harrison Trail) and reduces the size of the area closure. Approximately 47 acres of the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness remain closed.

Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. Regulated closures may be in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon.

For the latest information about Restrictions, please contact:

Umatilla National Forest:

Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663

www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF

Twitter: @UmatillaNF

ODF, Northeast Oregon District                              ODF, Central Oregon District

Phone: (541) 963-3168 or (541) 786-2039                  Phone: (541) 263-0661

www.facebook.com/oregondeptofforestryNEO/        www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon/

                                                                                         www.odfcentraloregon.com

A map and detailed description of the reduced area closure is available at all Umatilla National Forest offices as well as on the Umatilla National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/. 

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Area Closure Description:

The area within the following boundary: within the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness, north of the Ben Harrison Trail in the Harrison Fire burned area. The area is approximately 47 areas in size. Prohibited access does not apply to use of the Ben Harrison National Forest System Trail 3173.