Malheur & Umatilla National Forests further decrease closure area surrounding Crockets Knob Fire

JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, and HINES, OR – (Friday, September 16, 2022,) The Malheur and Umatilla National Forests have further decreased the closure area surrounding the Crockets Knob fire, effective September 15, 2022. However, a modified area closure remains in effect. The revised closure prohibits public entry to National Forest lands surrounding the Crockets Knob Fire and includes all lands, roads and trails, as described below. 

The area closure begins at the junction of County Road 20 and Forest Service Road (FSR) 45, goes east to Sunshine Guard Station, north on FSR 2000909 to the junction with FSR 4550, northeast on FSR 4555 then northeast passed the Sunrise Butte Trailhead until it turns into Trail #255. From there, the closure goes northeast to the junction of Trail #251 and Trail #3001, then turns northwest along Trail #3001 to the South Fork Desolation Trailhead. The closure boundary follows South Fork Desolation Trail (#3001) to the northwest until it turns in to FSR 45 then runs southwest to the junction with FSR 4560, then southeast back to the junction of County Road 20.

All Boundary roads and trails will be closed EXCEPT County Road 20 and FSR 45 from the junction of FSR 45 and County Road 20 to the junction of FSR 45 and FSR 4560. 

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 continue to be fire vehicles and traffic in the area. Forest conditions can be dynamic this time of year and likely to change throughout the day and week. Many places in the Blue Mountains have limited or no cell phone coverage. Forest visitors are encouraged to have a forest map and always plan an evacuation route in the event of a wildfire. 

For additional information on forest conditions, public use restrictions and current fire activity, please visit: Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur 

• Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8301 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurNF 

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