Emergency closure lifted in Bachelor Complex Fire area; Edison Sno-Park reopened, but caution advised

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes National Forest lifted the Bachelor Complex Emergency Fire Closure on Thursday, reopening Edison Sno-Park and the surrounding area, including Forest Service Road 4525.

However, drivers along roads in the area are advised to use caution, as hazard trees remain along roadsides.

"Additionally, many of the roads in the area still have significant stretches of snow at this time," the forest said in a Facebook posting.

The fires burned more than 15,000 acres near Mt. Bachelor.

Here's the rest of the new info:

Please use caution when recreating in areas that were impacted by the Little Lava Fire. A burned landscape presents a number of safety hazards that either did not exist prior to the fire or have been exacerbated by the effects of the fire.

In some cases, these hazardous conditions may persist for several years after a fire. Be very aware of your surroundings, follow warning signs, area closures and directions from agency personnel, and pay particular attention to these potential safety hazards. Be especially wary of hazard trees after rain events or during wind.

When recreating in a burned area:

LOOK UP for upslope burned areas, snags, and exposed rocks that may fall.

LOOK DOWN for debris from falling rocks, erosion - especially at road and trail edges, and ash pits (which may form from root pockets or stumps of burned trees).

LOOK AROUND. Be situationally aware. Check the weather before you travel, including at higher elevations. Wind, rain, ice and snow can increase the risk of tree fall, rock fall, slides and other hazards. Flash floods and landslide risks are elevated below severely burned areas.

LOOK BELOW the surface of standing water and moving water for floating logs, submerged trees and other debris, which can strike or entangle swimmers and boaters and damage other infrastructure.