Temporary Fire Closures on the Heppner and North Fork John Day Ranger Districts Lifted September 3

After the 2024 fire season Umatilla National Forest is facing a long and unique fire recovery period, some of which has progressed in the areas of road repair, hazardous tree removal, and assessment of damage to the forest. All of this work aimed to reduce the number of existing hazards that were the result of the Lone Rock and Battle Mountain Complex fires. On September 3, 2024, the temporary closure will be lifted.

Until September 3, 2024, the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District west of Hwy 395 and south of FS Road 53 will remain closed. When the closure area reopens, forest visitors should be cautious when entering any recently burned area and be aware of increased hazards, particularly snags (which are recently burned or dead trees).

Forest officials ask that visitors do not camp or linger in a burned area. Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds. Loose rocks and logs can be present in a burned area and are unpredictable, creating a falling a hazard. Additionally, burned vegetation can also contribute to landslides, mudslides and erosion when rain occurs. The ground in a burned area can also be unstable, due to burned-out roots beneath the soil. Even areas that have no visible fire and that appear cool can still have hot ash pits below the surface.  After soils and vegetation have been charred, rainfall that would normally be absorbed could run off extremely quickly.

Forest visitors may also encounter firefighter traffic, downed trees in roadways, dusty roads and areas of smoke. Please be alert when traveling on the Forest.

Fire danger on the Umatilla National Forest is High. For areas that will re-open to the public, Phase B Public Use Restrictions are in effect. Under these restrictions:

• Campfires are only allowed in designated campgrounds and recreation sites. Liquified or bottled gas stoves and heaters are allowed.
  
  
• A list of designated recreation sites is available on the Forest’s website.
  
  
• Operating an internal combustion engine, such as a chainsaw, is prohibited, except for individuals with a firewood permit cutting in an authorized area.
  
  
• Generators will only be allowed in the center of an area at least 10 feet in diameter that is cleared of all flammable material including in a pickup truck bed and factory installed in a recreational vehicle.
  
  
• Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles, buildings or cleared areas.

The public is also encouraged to practice safe campfire principles when recreating in dispersed and developed campsites.

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact the Information Hotline at (877) 958-9663.

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

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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