Ochoco National Forest reduces closure area

Effective 8 a.m. Friday, the Ochoco National Forest will reduce the size of the area closure enacted five days ago.

The new closure area will reopen areas north and east of Big Summit Prairie, as well as Walton Lake campground and Allen Creek Horse Camp, to the general public. The new order also reopens a travel route to access these camping areas.

Forest officials realize the importance of summer recreation on the forest and want to provide everyone access in as safe a manner as possible.

The public is advised to travel only on open roads through the closure area because there are still multiple, active fire management operations on the forest. Please do not turn off on closed roads into the closure area.

See the attached map and closure order for specific boundaries and additional details.

The closure covers all campgrounds, trailheads, forest roads, and developed facilities on National Forest System lands within the closure area. Forest Road 42 and a portion of Forest Road 22, Biggs Springs campground and Deep Creek campground remain closed under this order.

Ochoco Forest campground next to the Ochoco Ranger Station will reopen to the public.

The order includes exceptions for people travelling in an official capacity, and those with special permits and written permissions.

The Ochoco National Forest will rescind the order as soon as it is safe to do so.

Additionally, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland have entered Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 and will implement campfire restrictions beginning Friday, July 25. Please see the forest web site for details: http://www.fs.usda.gov/centraloregon

For more information on fire activity at Ochoco National Forest, visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/.

For additional questions, please contact Public Affairs Officer Patrick Lair at (541) 416-6647.