Pole Creek Fire closure area partly lifted

Beginning Tuesday, many portions of the Pole Creek Fire closure area southwest of Sisters are open; however, some closures will continue within the interior portion of the fire.

Portions of the closure that are opened include: Forest Service Road 16 and areas east of the road, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Black Crater Trail, and the north end of the Trout Creek Butte area, including portions of Forest Service Roads 15 and 1018.

To ensure public safety, the following locations will remain within a closure: the junction of Forest Service Road 16 and Forest Service Road 1514, the junction of Forest Service Road 15 and Forest Service Road 1520, and the junction of Forest Service Road 1018 and Forest Service Road 1018-800. The remaining closure area may continue through the winter to ensure that people are not harmed by falling trees weakened by the fire and winter weather. As the winter progresses, if the Forest Service has the opportunity to mitigate safety hazards, additional areas may open.

The Sisters Ranger District also wants to update the public about firewood conditions. According to District officials, the west side of Forest Service Road 16’s firewood cutting area burned in the fire and most of that firewood no longer exists. However, some firewood is available as a result of firefighting activities. The following areas on the District are open to personal use firewood:

east of FS Road 16 (cinder pit with wood chunks and chunks along the road created during firefighting activities);
Driftwood Campground, and
Green Ridge firewood area.

The following areas are closed to personal use firewood cutting along FS Road 16:

Areas designated as commercial decks located near the Park Meadow Trailhead,
the 370 Road, and
the west side of the 16 Road with the exception of Driftwood Campground.