Klamath National Forest Issues Emergency Closure Orders

Forest Service News Release

Yreka, Calif., August 20, 2023 – The Klamath National Forest is issuing an emergency closure order for two portions of the forest. The purpose of the closure is to provide for public safety in response to ongoing and increased wildfire activity across the forest, including the Happy Camp Complex.

A forest closure prohibits the public from entering portions of the forest in or near the vicinity of ongoing wildfire activity. The closure order also prohibits the use of roads, trails, and developed recreation sites within the closure area.

Happy Camp Ranger District Closure Location: The closure order extends from Happy Camp south to the Marble Mountain Wilderness boundary at Norcross Recreation Area. The closure continues west along the edge of the Marble Mountain Wilderness to the Siskiyou Wilderness boundary. From there, the closure runs north along the Siskiyou Wilderness, down Clear Creek to Highway 96, and then north back to Happy Camp near Curley Jack Campground.

Oak Knoll and Scott River Ranger Districts Closure Area: The closure order is generally northwest of Scott Valley and includes some of the Marble Mountain Wilderness near Lover’s Camp. From the Marble Mountain Wilderness boundary, the closure continues along Grider Creek north to Seiad Valley. The closure extends northeast of Seiad Valley to areas north of the Klamath River.

A map of the closure order, including specific roads, trails, and recreation sites can be found on the Klamath National Forest Website:
Happy Camp District Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1132183.pdf
Oak Knoll and Scott River Districts Closure: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1132187.pdf

Developed Recreation Areas and Trailheads Closed on the Oak Knoll and Scott River Ranger Districts: Brown Bear River Access, Blue Heron River Access, Johnson Bar River Access, Townsend Gulch River Access, Tompkins Creek River Access, Canyon Creek River Access, Gold Flat River Access, Sugarpine Gulch River Access, Rocky Point River Access, Grider Trailhead, Kelsey Trailhead, Lovers Camp Trailhead, Boulder Trailhead, Paradise Trailhead, Tyler Meadows Trailhead, Cold Spring Trailhead, Box Camp Trailhead, Indian Scotty Campground, O’Neil Creek Campground, Jones Beach Picnic Area, Lovers Camp Campground, and Sarah Totten Campground.

Developed Recreation Areas and Trailheads Closed on the Happy Camp Ranger District: Ferry Point River Access, Independence River Access, Coon Creek River Access, Chambers Flat River Access, Johnsons Hunting Ground Trailhead, Sulphur Springs Trailhead, Elbow Springs Trailhead, No Mans (Clear Creek) Trailhead, Sulphur Spring Campground, Coon Creek Picnic Area, Independence Picnic Area.

Fire Restrictions: On August 15th, the Klamath National Forest implemented fire restrictions to help minimize the chances of human-caused wildland fires. The following restrictions are in effect for the entire Klamath National Forest:

Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, except within the following areas: Designated Recreation Sites, as listed in Exhibit A of the Order; and Trinity Alps Wilderness, Siskiyou Wilderness, Marble Mountain Wilderness, and Russian Wilderness.
Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or a building, within the Developed Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.
Welding, or operating an acetylene torch or other torch with an open flame.
Operating an internal combustion engine, except on National Forest System roads or trails or within the Designated Recreation Sites listed in Exhibit A of the Order.

A full list of fire restrictions and exemptions is available at https://origin-fs.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1132189.pdf

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