Despite rain, some roads and trails still closed due to fire

McKENZIE BRIDGE, Ore. - Recent rain failed to completely eliminate the danger to the public posed by wildfires and firefighting activity in the Oregon Cascades.

However, public closures have been modified to allow hunters and hikers back into parts of the woods closed for much of the summer.

"We thank the public for waiting until the area was safe again," said Mary Allison, McKenzie River District Ranger. "We want to remind people that heavy equipment and crews will continue to work in the area, so please use caution when driving on these forest roads."

The new Scott Mountain fire closure order lifts part of the restrictions on the forest roads east of Highway 126: 2664 (Robinson Lake), 2657 (Olallie), 2653 (Boulder Creek), 2649 (Scott Creek), 2647 (Cupola), and 260 (Scott Lake).

Heavy equipment will still be working in this area. Drivers should expect possible delays and drive slowly.

he new closure area begins on the Deschutes and Linn County boundary and Hwy 242, continues north and west to the Mount Washington Wilderness Boundary, then south along the boundary including the entire 3508 (Fingerboard Prairie/Deer Butte/Robinson Lake) trail.

The following trails into the Mount Washington Wilderness are closed: Trails 3508 (Fingerboard Prairie/Deer Butte /Robinson Lake), 3513 (Hand Lake), 3502 (Benson/Tenas Lake), Melakwa Boy Scout Camp/Irish Camp Lake Trail.

Additionally, Scott Lake campground is closed.

State Highways 126 and 242, the Pacific Crest Trail, Belknap Crater Trail, Limberlost and Alder Springs campgrounds are open to the public.

For further information on the fire and area closure maps, visit www.inciweb.org, or call the McKenzie River Ranger District at 541-822-3381.

Pacific Crest Trail open to thru-hikers

Further north in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, some areas of the Pyramid Butte Fire remain active.

Firefighters spent most of the past week mopping up areas of persistent heat close to the Pacific Crest Trail. Firefighters also built a fire line west of the Wilderness boundary to help contain the fire should the weather change in order to keep the fire out of the Breitenbush watershed.

Fire managers feel it is safe to re-open the Pacific Crest Trail for thru-hiking only.

The entire section of the trail that runs through the Mount Jefferson Wilderness and the Olallie Lake Scenic Area on the Mount Hood National Forest re-opened Saturday.

Camping along the trail between Jefferson Park and the northern boundary of the Wilderness is prohibited as an area closure remains in effect.

Crews will continue to monitor the fire, which could continue to burn through the fall.

The management strategy for the Pyramid Butte Fire is designed to protect critical values at risk while managing firefighter exposure. Critical values near the boundary of the Wilderness include the Olallie Lake Scenic Area to the north and the Breitenbush summer homes and retreat center to the west.

“This strategy allows us to apply low-impact tactics for managing fire in the Wilderness while providing for public and firefighter safety. The contingency lines are part of efforts to plan ahead should the fire threaten nearby values,” said Grady McMahan, District Ranger for the Detroit Ranger District.