MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest officials have issued a new Forest Order for the Ranch fire that extends the closure through at least July, 2019.
Forest Order No. 08-18-17 goes into effect Nov. 22, 2018. The order is posted on the forest Web site here: https://www.tinyurl.com/y7qvlqvd .
Forest Order No. 08-18-17 closes all National Forest System lands, roads, trails and campgrounds as shown on Exhibits A and B due to hazards such as stump holes on roads and trails and dead standing trees.
In addition, 20 miles of trail as shown on Exhibit C are closed where concentrated use poses a safety risk to the public and could result in resource damage.
The trails are:
· Forest Trail No. 60 Erickson Ridge 4x4;
· Forest Trail No. 61 Coyote Rock;
· Forest Trail No. 62 Oak Flat Access;
· Forest Trail No. 63 Browns Gulch;
· Forest Trail No. 64 Powder House;
· Forest Trail No. 65 Powder House 4x4;
· Forest Trail No. 66 Refuge 4x4;
· Forest Trail No. 67 Rattlesnake 4x4;
· Forest Trail No. 69 Windy Point.
There is a significant amount of work that needs to be done before the Ranch fire area is reasonably safe to open.
Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson explained, “We are doing everything possible to reduce risks to the public and reopen areas but we simply need more time. We appreciate your patience while we continue the recovery and restoration process.”
Currently, the forest is planning the hazard tree removal project and identifying those priority areas where fire damaged trees are safety hazards near roads.
There are 200 miles of roads within and around the Ranch fire area that have been identified for hazard tree removal.
The conditions throughout the winter will have a direct impact on how much work can be accomplished.
Forest Order No. 08-18-17 supersedes Order No. 08-18-16 dated Oct. 5, 2018.
Extended closure issued for Ranch fire area
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