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More Forest Service, BLM land closures announced due to Mendocino Complex
The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management reported the closures on Saturday.
On Saturday Mendocino National Forest officials issued the second forest order in a week closing roads, trails and campgrounds in a large area due to the Ranch fire on the Upper Lake Ranger District.
The purpose of the closure is to provide safety to the public and for the firefighters on the incident.
Forest officials said the area is closed due to fire suppression and rehabilitation activities that create a hazard to the public, including the use of heavy equipment, the falling of hazard trees weakened by the fire and the construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of fuels breaks.
The closure will remain in place until hazards to the public are diminished. Forest Order No. 08-18-13 and exhibits are posted at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mendocino/alerts-notices .
Also on Saturday, the Bureau of Land Management Ukiah Field Office said it is temporarily closing the Cache Creek Management Area, which includes Cowboy Camp, due to the potential risk to public safety from the nearby Mendocino Complex.
Included in this temporary closure are the Cowboy Camp Equestrian Area; Blue Ridge, Cache Creek Ridge, Frog Pond, Fisk Creek, High Bridge, Judge Davis, Langs Peak, Perkins Creek Ridge and Redbud trails; Cache Creek; Cache Creek Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas; and the Buck Island Rafting Area. The BLM has also closed the Cow Mountain Recreation Area and Indian Valley, which are actively burning. Public lands on Walker Ridge also are closed to all access.
The Ukiah Field Office has increased fire restrictions, which prohibit recreational target shooting and ban all campfires and open flame. Read more at https://www.blm.gov/press-release/blm-ukiah-increases-fire-restrictions-limits-shooting-Aug2018 .
A complete listing off all fire restrictions on BLM-managed public lands in California is available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california/fire-restrictions .
For more information please contact the Ukiah Field Office, Monday through Friday, at 707-468-4000.