Fires and Safety Prompts Expansion of Closures on North Fork John Day Ranger District

 

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 25, 2024) — Forest officials are expanding the temporary closure of the lands, trails and roads on North Fork John Day Ranger District to ensure the safety of the public, firefighters and resources engaged in operations with the nearby Battle Mountain Complex located southwest of Ukiah.

Portions of the North Fork John Day Ranger District north of State Road 244, remain open which include Bear Wallow Creek and Lane Creek at this time, while all US Forest Service lands, trails and roads south of SR244 are temporarily closed to use at this time. This does not apply to state, county or non-forest service federal roads.

This closure includes Olive Lake Campground and Olive Lake on the south side of North Fork John Day Ranger District. Closure descriptions and maps are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768. 

Additional Information on Battle Mountain Complex, Bone Yard, Cougar Creek, and Lone Rock Fires is available at:

• Battle Mountain Complex: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or97s-battle-mountain-complex
• Bone Yard Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-boneyard-fire
• Cougar Creek Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-cougar-creek-fire
• Lone Rock Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orprd-lone-rock-fire

Although the forecast is for cooler temperatures and calmer winds for the coming days, fuels remain critically dry and receptive to ignition. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at EXTREME and public use restrictions involving recreation, chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.

       For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact:

    Umatilla National Forest:

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

    www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF  

    X: @UmatillaNF

    The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. 
    To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog
    at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.  

    Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available             
    at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

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