Closures

Umatilla National Forest
72510 Coyote Road, Pendleton, OR 97801  www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/ Wallowa-Whitman National Forest 1550 Dewey Ave, Baker City, OR 97814  www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/ Malheur National Forest 431 Patterson Bridge Road, John Day, OR 97845 http://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur

Contacts: Joani Bosworth – Umatilla NF (541) 278-3722                                                                        August 19, 2013

                    Matt Burks – Wallowa-Whitman NF (541) 523-1208

                    Mike Stearly – Malheur NF (541) 575-3008                                                                                                              

                   

Vinegar Fire: Road, Trail and Area Closures Implemented

Pendleton, OR:  Road, trail, and area closures have been implemented in the vicinity of the Vinegar Fire burning nine miles SW of Granite, Oregon in the North Fork John Day Wilderness area’s Greenhorn Unit.  The fire, a result of recent lightning activity, is now estimated at 858 acres.

Active fire behavior, fire suppression activities and increased fire traffic on forest roads have prompted forest officials to implement the large closure area for public and firefighter safety.

“We’re aware that archery season will start next weekend,” said Bob Varner, North Fork John Day District Ranger.  “These closures will likely force hunters to develop a Plan B for this area,” added Varner.  Hunters should contact the Fire Information Office at 541-755-9003 or the local Ranger District office for current information regarding the status of the fire and the closures. 

The area closure involves lands, roads, and trails on the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests.  “The closure area is basically bordered by forest road 10 to the north; Lost Lake and Blue Mountain Trails to the west; forest roads 2010 and 1035 to the south; and forest roads 13 and 1305 to the east,” said Varner.  A detailed area closure description and map are available on the InciWeb site at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3645/ and at local Forest Service offices.

The public is reminded that public use restrictions involving campfires, smoking, and chainsaw use are in effect on the Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman and Malheur National Forests. If unsure of which restrictions apply, please contact your local Forest Service office or visit us online at: 

·         Umatilla National Forest:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla

·         Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman

·         Malheur National Forest: http://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur

For more information about the Vinegar Fire, please contact the Fire Information Office at 541-755-9003 or visit InciWeb site at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3645/.

-USFS-

Area Closure Map