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Driving out in parts of watershed By JILL BRISKEY ASHLAND - Reacting to the threat of extreme fire danger, forest and city officials on Wednesday banned the use of motor vehicles in parts of the Ashland watershed. If drought and fire conditions worsen, Rogue River National Forest spokesman Paul Galloway said residents would no longer be allowed to walk or bike through the area to the southwest of Ashland that serves as the drainage for Ashland Creek. That hasn't happened since 1992. "That's a very popular area with folks in Ashland," he said. "People enjoy it." Galloway said the recent ban has nothing to do with the Quartz Fire, which continues to rage despite massive suppression efforts. It's a precaution that the Rogue River National Forest Service and the city of Ashland often take during periods of high fire danger and drought, he added. Galloway said the two agencies have a "memorandum of understanding," and closure is enforced by the U.S. Forest Service. "We have done this in the past," Galloway said. "We feel there's a threat, and it's time." The Ashland Creek watershed is the main source of domestic water for residents in Ashland - a resource that could easily be lost if a wildfire escapes control. The portion of the watershed within the Ashland Ranger District is now closed to all motor traffic. However, private lands within the watershed are exempt. Firefighters, along with federal, state and peace officers or drivers with permits are allowed to drive in the watershed. Forest officials have posted signs and closed the gates to road 2060, which is above upper Granite and Morton streets - often referred to as Ashland Loop Road. The gates to forest roads 2080200, or Bull Gap, and 2080600, also known as Four Corners, also have been closed. Forest officials caution drivers against parking vehicles by the closed gates. Those vehicles could prevent fire equipment from passing through, Galloway added. Although residents can still hike, run, bike or ride horses in the watershed, forest officials are advising people to use extreme caution when they venture into the dry wilderness. "We're urging people not to smoke in the watershed," he said. Fireworks and campfires are prohibited in the area, and residents are being asked to stay on marked trails and roads. The Ashland Parks Department closed and blocked several trials on the hill above Lithia Park in mid-July in order to avoid the threat of a fire. "We did that just for precautionary purposes," Ann Benedict, a business manager, said. The last fire to strike the watershed area took place in 1959 and burned approximately 70 percent of the land. Galloway said the ban won't be lifted until conditions improve. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.