Malheur National Forest reduces Rail Ridge Fire area closure

By on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

John Day(Released by the USDA Forest Service)-The Malheur National Forest is reducing the area closure for the Rail Ridge Fire on the Blue Mountain Ranger District. To protect public health and safety, fire managers have closed the area described below due to fire activity and fire suppression operations. This closure will be effective September 24, 2024, through December 31, 2024, unless rescinded sooner.

This Forest Order, Malheur National Forest Rail Ridge #2 Fire Closure (06-04-01-24-30), rescinds and replaces the previous Malheur National Forest Rail Ridge Fire Area Closure Order (06-04-01-24-26).

Closure Area Description:

  • From the National Forest boundary on Fields Peak Road/Forest Service Road 21 on the border of T13 S, R28E, Sec 35 and T14S, R28E, Sec. 1 south along Forest Service Road 21 to junction of Forest Service Roads 2170 and 21.
  • Continues along Forest Service Road 21 east to the junction of Forest Service Road 2180 at T15S, R29E, Sec. 20. South on Forest Service Road 2180 to Forest Service Road 24 in T16S, R28E, Sec. 10.
  • Follows Forest Service Road 24 west to forest service road 338 in T16S, R28E, Sec. 7. South on Forest Service Road 338 to Forest Service Road 6370 in T16S, R28E, Sec. 30.
  • Continues west on Forest Service Road 6370 to the Forest Service Boundary in T16S, R27E, Sec. 25.
  • Follows National Forest boundary north to T13S, R27E, Sec. 33 then east to Fields Peak Road/Forest Service Road 21 on the border of T13 S, R28E, Sec. 35 and T14S, R28E, Sec. 1.
  • Travel is prohibited on Forest Service Road 21 starting in T14S, R28E, Sec. 1 south to the junction of Forest Service Road 2170 in T15S, R29E, Sec. 18.

A detailed map of each closure is included and can also be viewed on the Malheur National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur, select Forest Orders in the righthand column. 

For Rail Ridge Fire information visit: https://inciweb.fs2c.usda.gov/incident-information/orocf-rail-ridge .