Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree announced today, "I've decided to reopen the national forest lands in the King Fire area to the public beginning Saturday, April 25, in conjunction with the general opening of fishing season. Parts of the fire area are still hazardous, but that will continue to be true for years."
Roadside trees killed in the King Fire that were identified as an immediate threat to public safety have been felled. Further hazard tree assessment will be done as part of the ongoing King Fire Restoration effort.
Meanwhile, there are still a few hot spots in the fire area. A recent flight over the fire area using infared technology for heat detection found 11 small spots remaining. Eight of these are in the Rubicon Canyon. Three others are near the fire perimeter. This is not unusual in a fire as large as the King Fire, and these hot spots are being monitored.
"We've been getting calls from all across the state asking us to lift the fire closure," Supervisor Crabtree said. "People want to access their Forest to fish, cut firewood, collect mushrooms and continue many other activities and traditions they have not been able to do. Public safety was the primary reason for the fire closure. Reopening the area means it is critical that people take responsibility for their own safety," Crabtree continued.
The public is reminded that permits are required for the collection of mushrooms, firewood and all other forest products. The District Offices at Georgetown and at Pacific will be open on Saturday the 25th to accommodate visitors who want to get permits or recreation information.
Visitors are urged to follow these safety suggestions:
- Remember that falling trees are always a hazard when traveling in the forest.
- Be particularly aware of your surroundings when hiking on trails.
- Stay on trails in the fire area to avoid possible smoldering in burned stump holes below the surface.
- Avoid parking or camping in areas where trees could fall.
- Stay out of the forest when there are strong winds that could blow down trees.
- Drive with extra caution and expect logging trucks on narrow roads due to the high volume of timber being harvested on private lands in the fire area.
- Tell family or friends where you are going in the forest and when you expect to be back.
Source: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/eldorado/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3835432
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