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FRZ.RAIN Temp: 31 °F Wind: CLM at 0 mph Saturday, November 30, 2002 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend October 29, 2002 Many roads, trails have reopened but burning prohibited By BILL KETTLER The Mail Tribune Federal forest managers have reopened some of the roads and trails that were closed on the Siskiyou National Forest during the summer’s 500,000-acre Biscuit fire. Light rain and drizzle Sunday allowed state forestry officials to relax some forest-use restrictions, but all open-burning is still prohibited in Southern Oregon. Campfires are now allowed outside designated campgrounds on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, and restrictions on the use of chain saws, mowers, backhoes, chippers and other heavy industrial machinery have been lifted. Vehicles may be operated in off-road areas, and smoking also is permitted in wooded areas. Re-opened national forest roads include Road 4201 to Babyfoot Lake, Road 4103 to Oak Flat and the Illinois River, and Road 2524 to Spaulding Pond. "We have been working hard getting emergency rehabilitation done in burned areas and posting road hazards," said Ram Bode, ranger for the Illinois Valley and Galice districts. "This work required use of heavy equipment and aircraft, which posed a hazard to the public and our operations." On the Chetco Ranger District, Roads 1376, 1407, 1909, and 1917 have been reopened, along with spur roads along their length. All roads on the Chetco Ranger District are open for public travel except those that are closed to prevent the spread of Port-Orford-cedar root rot. Some forest roads remain closed while firefighters continue to mop up hot spots and rehabilitate burned-over forest land. Road 2308, also known as Burnt Ridge Road, remains closed. The Frog Lake Bridge was damaged during the fire and is no longer safe for public travel. Trailheads and trails in the Kalmiopsis Wilderness are now open, but damage assessment continues and Bode suggested that wilderness users travel on foot. Horses or mountain bikes are not recommended, but their use is permitted. Bode said people should use caution when traveling in burned areas. Some roads are still closed, and damaged or undersized culverts must still be replaced in some areas, and emergency fire rehabilitation continues in others. Some fire restriction still remain on the wild and scenic section of the Rogue River between Grave Creek and Marial. Campfires and smoking are permitted only on sand and gravel bars up to the high-water mark, in areas naturally free of flammable vegetation. Campfires must be in fire pans or fire blankets. Smoking is permitted in boats and rafts while on the river. For more information about road conditions, contact the Illinois Valley Ranger District at 541-592-4000 or Galice Ranger District at 541-471-6500. Reach reporter Bill Kettler at 776-4492, or e-mail [email protected] Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright 1997-2002 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy webmaster feedback A D V E R T I S E R S