NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – The National Forests in northern California have seen their share of wildfires this season. With deer hunting season beginning in Northern California, hunters are curious to find out if their favorite hunting spots will be open, if they are currently accessible for scouting expeditions and how the fires have affected the landscape.

Forest Service officials are working closely with California Department of Fish and Game to provide timely and accurate dissemination of information on forest road and area closures and current conditions.

Firefighting officials expect that it will be the middle of August before some fires within the Klamath, Mendocino, Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests are contained. The growth potential for these fires is still considered extreme, and the rugged landscape makes it difficult for fire suppression.

A map of fire closure areas, along with the associated closure order, can be found at any of the four National Forest Web sites: Klamath, www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath; Mendocino, www.fs.fed.us/r5/mendocino; Six Rivers, www.fs.fed.us/r5/sixrivers; Shasta-Trinity, www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity.

Closures can change daily, and hunters should periodically check the Web site for the forest in which they expect to hunt.

Information related to conditions for tag refunds/exchanges is available online at the California Department of Fish and Game Web site: www.dfg.ca.gov/wildlife/hunting/deer/fire.html.

 

Hunters must apply for the refund prior to the opening of the earliest season in their zone. In most cases this is archery season; however, check season dates for confirmation.

 

If the public wish to request a different tag, the request must be made prior to the opening of the zone you are requesting a new tag in and the zone for which your original tag was issued. Additionally, there must be tags available in the requested zone.

No refunds will be issued after the start of early seasons for that zone.

Forest Service officials are hesitant to make any promises about when the forests will rescind fire closure orders.

“It’s just too early to tell. Fire suppression activities are affected by numerous factors, and even after the fire is contained it may not be safe for the public to enter the area,” said Mendocino National Forest

Supervisor Tom Contreras. “We will only open the areas when we are confident that there will be no risk to human life and safety.”

District Ranger Eduardo Olmedo of the Grindstone Ranger District warns that “conditions in a burned forest change constantly so don’t let buck fever diminish your common sense. Be alert, be aware, and be safe.”

There are several key items to keep in mind when hunting, horseback riding, or walking in an area that has recently burned. Hazards may include:

• Ash and needles on trails and footpaths can make for slippery conditions.

• Burned-out stump holes make the general forest floor weak and unstable.

• Unstable dead trees can be especially hazardous in windy conditions when they can fall suddenly.

• Loose rocks and logs can create rolling debris.

• Flash flooding and mud flows may be common in areas without vegetation.

Take proper safety precautions before you leave and when you arrive at your destination.

• Check the weather forecast before you leave.

• Assess current weather conditions in the forest.

• Let someone know where you are and your itinerary.

• Locate your camp away from burned trees.

Visitors are reminded to remain on authorized roads. The forest maps showing National Forest Roads, trails and areas designated for public motor vehicle use are available at all Forest Service offices. Please contact your local National Forest office for more information and closure updates.

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