Malheur and Umatilla National Forests decrease closure area surrounding Crockets Knob

 JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, and HINES, OR – (Friday, September 9, 2022,) The Malheur and Umatilla National Forests will be decreasing the Closure Area surrounding the Crockets Knob Fire, effective September 11, 2022. However, there is still an area closure in effect.

The area closure begins at the junction of County Road 20 and Forest Service Road (FSR) 45, east to Sunshine Guard Station, north on FSR 2000909 to the junction at FSR 4550, northeast on FSR 4555, then northeast to Sunrise Butte Trail #255, northeast to the junction with Princess Trail #251, east to Blue Mountain Trail #6141, northwest to FSR 45, and back south to the junction of County Road 20. 

All boundary roads, trails and campgrounds will be closed EXCEPT County Road 20, from the junction of FSR 45 to the junction of FSR 2000909 at Sunshine Guard Station, which will remain open. For full area closure information and map, please visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur

Closure signs will be posted on the ground and detailed maps of the closure information will be available on the Forest website and at any Forest office.

Forest officials advise the public to use caution when traveling on the Forest, as roads and trails could be impacted by hazards such as trees, rocks or boulders. There will also be an increase in fire vehicles and fire traffic. Forest conditions can be dynamic this time of year and likely to change throughout the day and week. 



Visitors should plan ahead and contact their local ranger district prior to starting their trip. Many places in the Blue Mountains have limited or no cell phone coverage. Forest visitors should always be prepared to spend the night in the forest with warm clothing, food, personal hygiene items and plenty of water. The public is encouraged to monitor the Malheur National Forest Facebook page for updates on forest conditions and the current fire activity.