Sheriff lifts Wallowa, Grande Ronde river closures after Elbow Creek fire

 BAKER CITY, Ore.  – River closures associated with the Elbow Creek Fire have been lifted, Wallowa County Sheriff Joel Fish announced. 

Many river campsites were damaged and remain closed. Boaters are advised to contact the appropriate land management agencies when planning river trips to ensure campsite availability. 

The fire, which started July 15, burned 22,960 acres on both sides of the Grande Ronde River between Bear Creek and Wildcat Creek. Public lands within the burned area pose many additional hazards, and visitors are strongly advised to avoid entering burned areas until further notice.  

Additionally, all Umatilla National Forest lands of the Grande Ronde River between river mile 66.2 near Bear Creek downstream to the Forest Service boundary near river mile 62.4 are closed to public entry. For a complete copy of the closure order and map, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768. 

In keeping with the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, the burned area of the Grande Ronde Wild and Scenic River is managed in a “primitive, natural condition,” in which fire plays an important role and natural processes are allowed to take their course. 

River users are responsible for their own safety. Risks in burned areas include falling trees and limbs; river obstructions and strainers; uneven or unstable ground; holes from burned root systems; loose or falling rocks; landslides; debris flows; and flash floods. Risks are especially high during wind events and after heavy rains or winter storms.  

For more information, contact Vale BLM at 541-523-1256 or Umatilla National Forest at 541-278-3716. 

-BLM– 

This year, we invite everyone to reimagine your public lands as we celebrate 75 years of the BLM’s stewardship and service to the American people. The BLM manages approximately 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.