County Sheriff announces river closures lifted
By Paul Hall on Thursday, September 2nd, 2021 in Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
River closures associated with the Elbow Creek Fire have been lifted, Wallowa County Sheriff Joel Fish announced.
Many river campsites were damaged and remain closed. Boaters are advised to contact the appropriate land management agencies when planning river trips to ensure campsite availability.
The fire, which started July 15, burned 22,960 acres on both sides of the Grande Ronde River between Bear Creek and Wildcat Creek. Public lands within the burned area pose many additional hazards, and visitors are strongly advised to avoid entering burned areas until further notice.
Additionally, all Umatilla National Forest lands of the Grande Ronde River between river mile 66.2 near Bear Creek downstream to the Forest Service boundary near river mile 62.4 are closed to public entry. For a complete copy of the closure order and map, visit
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.
In keeping with the Wild & Scenic Rivers Act, the burned area of the Grande Ronde Wild and Scenic River is managed in a “primitive, natural condition,” in which fire plays an important role and natural processes are allowed to take their course.
River users are responsible for their own safety. Risks in burned areas include falling trees and limbs; river obstructions and strainers; uneven or unstable ground; holes from burned root systems; loose or falling rocks; landslides; debris flows; and flash floods. Risks are especially high during wind events and after heavy rains or winter storms.
