US Forest closures in effect

Five federal closure areas were announced this week by the U.S. Forest Service, that include all developed recreation sites, roads, and trails within the areas, except: Forest Roads 15, 19, 1900410, 2618, 2618305, and 1510, as well as the Bruckart Bridge Boat landing.

The boundary for Closure Area 1 begins at mile marker 40 of Highway 126, south of the McKenzie River. It follows the National Forest System (NFS) land boundary south, then east, then south, then northeast then back south. The boundary continues along the NFS land boundary with private land east, then north, then back west for ¼ mile where it reaches the burn area boundary, it then follows the burn area boundary for ¾ mile until it reaches the NFS land boundary where it continues east, then north, then east, then south to the burned area boundary ,just west of the 1986 road. The boundary then follows the burned area boundary northeast to the Cougar Reservoir just south of the junction of Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 1900-415, then north along the burned area boundary and Forest Road 1900-410 to the intersection of Forest Road 1900-410 and Forest Road 2639, then north and east along the Willamette

National Forest boundary across State Highway 126 to the burned area boundary just east of Mill Creek in Section 8 T.16.S R.5E., then along the burned area boundary to where it meets the southwest boundary of the HJ Andrews Experimental Forest, then northwest along the HJ Andrews boundary to Forest Road 15, near its intersection with Forest Road 1506, then southwest along Forest Road 15 to the Forest boundary that runs parallel and just southwest of Forest Road 15, then south along the Forest boundary across State Highway 126, then west along the Willamette National Forest boundary south of the McKenzie River to the point of origin.

The boundary for Closure Area 2 begins east of the Blue River Lake at the junction of Blue River and Mona Creek at the boundary of Section 8, T.15S. and T.16.S and continues west along the burned area boundary, then along the south side of Forest Road 1510 where it enters the burn area, where road 1510 leaves the burn area, the closure follows the burn area boundary going northwest then south along Quartz Creek to Blue River Lake. The boundary continues along the Willamette National Forest Boundary south, then northeast, then east and south across Blue River Lake, then west, then south and back east to Forest Road 15. The boundary then follows the Willamette National Forest boundary north across Blue River Lake, then east, then north along the Forest boundary on the west shore of Blue River Lake to the point of origin.

The boundary for Closure Area 3 begins at the burn area boundary south of Forest Road 2820, 3 miles west of the gate located 0.2 miles west of the end of Forest Road 1510 near the District Boundary. The boundary then follows the burn area boundary north to the Willamette National Forest boundary, then follows the Willamette National Forest Boundary west then south to Forest Road 2820 just south of the District boundary. The boundary then heads east along Forest Road 2820 until it reaches the non-NFS land in the Gold Hill area, then follows the boundary of non-NFS land and the burn area boundary north back to the point of origin.

The boundary for Closure Area 4 begins at the intersection of the Willamette National Forest boundary and Elk Creek, just west of Elk Mountain, follows the Willamette National Forest boundary west, then the boundary of NFS land and private land southwest, then follows the Willamette National Forest boundary south, southeast, then east along the private land boundary just south of Mt. Hagan, then north and east to the burn area boundary then north along Elk creek to the point of origin.

The boundary for Closure Area 5 begins 0.25 miles west of mile marker 36 on State Highway 126 south of the Mckenzie River, follows the McKenzie River east for 1 mile, then follows the Willamette National Forest boundary southeast, then west, then south, then northwest, then north, back to the point of origin.Road Closures: Forest Road 2820 --From the Willamette National Forest Boundary to the gate, located immediately north of the boundary between the McKenzie River Ranger District and the Sweet Home Ranger District. •Forest Road 2026–From the 2026/2820 junction to the gate at the Willamette National Forest Boundary at road 2026424. Forest Road 1900415 --From road 19 to the end

Forest Road 2611 – Closed beyond the Forest Boundary.

EXEMPTIONS: Pursuant to 36 C.F.R.§ 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:(1)Any person with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission;(2)Owners or lessees of land in the area. Lessees of Recreation Residences (aka Summer Homes) inside the closure areas must have written permission from a forest officer specifically authorizing entry and identifying the person/address applicable. (3) Any Federal, State, or local officer or member in the performance of an official duty. These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R.Part 261