28 replies to this topic

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Pretty serious words. I am sure though there will be people who feel these orders don't apply.

Normal doesn't seem to just around the corner.

Thanks for posting.

Frank

[ski3pin]

The Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest closed all of its lands and roads in California - Carson & Bridgeport Ranger Districts - yesterday, 10 Sept.

 

Humboldt-Toiyabe Forest Closure

[Smokecreek1]

Yep-even the Modoc NF closed down! After 3 days of clear skies, the smoke  here in the Honey Lake Valley came back with a vengeance yesterday. What is really scary, go pull up the fs  incident   web map page-then you get a good picture of what we are facing -and the real "official" old fire season is just starting! Truck/camper has been packed for several days now with  no place to go, and I am probably lucky I didn't head out  somewhere because everywhere  looks bad.

 

Smoke

[ski3pin]

The California National Forests remain closed. The posted notices read "until further notice". It gets confusing because the mechanism (regulation) for closure by the Regional Forester requires an end date and does not allow a "to be determined" date for ending a closure order. This is why we are seeing notices of extension such as the attachments below. If extreme conditions persist, we'll see another extension. If conditions improve, we'll see the closure run out.

 

Lets hope conditions improve with these nightmare conditions. Until further notice is good for me.

Attached Files

•  USFS Closure Southern Forests.pdf   582.89K   194 downloads
•  USFS Closure Northern Forests.pdf   96.67K   229 downloads

[ski3pin]

A partial opening of some National Forests -

 

 

 

 

U.S. Forest Service 

Eldorado National Forest 

100 Forni Road 

Placerville, CA 95667 

530-303-2412

www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado

News Release

For Immediate Release

September 18, 2020

Media Contact:

Kristi Schroeder, (530) 305-6864

www.facebook.com/EldoradoNF

Twitter:@EldoradoNF

 

 

Eldorado National Forest partially re-opening recreation opportunities

 

 

PLACERVILLE, Calif. – The Eldorado National Forest will be re-opening some recreation opportunities on the forest as of Saturday, September 19, at 8:00 a.m. when the Regional Emergency Forest Closure Order 20-13 is rescinded for nine forests, including the Eldorado, due to the moderation in fire weather. Each forest is implementing their own forest specific Forest Order to address the continuing fire danger and recreation concerns. The Eldorado is limiting camping to developed campgrounds. In addition, the Eldorado has implemented an emergency fire closure area for the Fork Fire, this includes many facilities within the Crystal Basin Recreation Area.

 

The key points that forest visitors should know are:

 

• No Overnight Camping in dispersed areas - Forest Order 03-20-15 prohibits on camping forest-wide except for designated developed campgrounds. This includes both the Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas.
• Developed Camping – Camping in designated developed open campgrounds will be allowed. At this time of year, many campgrounds are beginning to close for the season. Additional campgrounds located within the Fork Fire closure area are closed.  Check the Campground Status page at www.fs.usda.gov/goto/enf/campgroundstatus to determine which facilities are open.
• Fire - The prohibition of the use of any ignition source on all National Forest System lands (campfires, gas stoves, etc.) throughout California remains in place. Regional Order 20-11.
• Forest Access – All Forest System lands, roads and trails will be open, except for those included within the Fork Fire closure area.
• Day Use – Day Use facilities, such as picnic areas and trailheads, will be open except for those facilities that are collocated with a campground that is closed for the season or located within the Fork Fire closure area. Day hiking in the Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas is allowed.
• Recreation Residences and Resorts – Open.

 

Caltrans has closed Highway 50 until October 3 in order to replace the Echo Summit Bridge. For more information go to this Caltrans web site for Daily Updates: www.way2tahoe.com/daily-updates. The detours designated by Caltrans are State Routes 89, 88, 49 and 16, through Amador, El Dorado and Alpine County.  Mormon Emigrant Trail is not a Highway 50 detour as the road was not engineered to handle the commercial traffic.

 

There will be no access to portions of Wrights Lake Road during chip sealing operations next week from Tuesday through Thursday, September 22-24.  

 

For more information about recreation opportunities and current conditions in the Eldorado National Forest, visit the forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado or talk with our virtual Visitor Service staff from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:

 

• Forest Supervisor's Office: 530 303-2412
• Placerville and Pacific Ranger District:  916 500-4712
• Amador Ranger District:  209 259-3774
• Georgetown Ranger District: 530 334-6477

 

Other sites that provide helpful tips are:

 

• Be Outdoor Safe - www.beoutdoorsafe.org/
• Ready for Wildfire - readyforwildfire.org
• Recreate Responsibly - recreateresponsibly.org

 

 

The U.S.D.A Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[craig333]

Roads are open but I can't camp on them. Bummer.

[ski3pin]

Yup, it may be a bummer, but we're going to be patient and see what unfolds weather wise and with fires. October is usually our big fire month. 

[craig333]

While its nice and clear here, looking at the cams its still smoky enough to make me not want to camp in the Sierra yet anyway.

[Smokecreek1]

Up here in the high desert, they just today opened up several cg's on both Lassen and Modoc NF's!  Seeing how I still plan to get out of here ;later this week, I have a few new options to camp  at  in case the smoke/fire conditions in Southern Ore/northern Nevada  change on my way over to the Sheldon.... As a side, my neighbor just back from the Steens; he said even though there were lot's of people up there especially for this late in the season, they still found a pace to hike and hide and it was great to be out of the smoke for a while!  Well after 3 whole days of almost  smoke free skies, the smoke came back today in  force!  I  can't get out of here to soon,back, to packing the rig and waiting for my "Chewy" order to arrive.

 

 

Smoke

[ski3pin]

The restrictions continue in California. Several southern California Forests are still completely closed.

 

 

 

 

U.S. Forest Service 

Eldorado National Forest 

100 Forni Road 

Placerville, CA 95667 

530-303-2412

www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado

News Release

For Immediate Release

September 24, 2020

Media Contact:

Jennifer Chapman, (530) 957-9660

www.facebook.com/EldoradoNF

Twitter:@EldoradoNF

 

 

Fire ban and other restrictions continue on Eldorado National Forest

 

 

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - The regional fire restrictions order prohibiting the use of all ignition sources on national forests in California has been extended due to the ongoing fire danger across the state. Under this fire ban, which includes the Eldorado National Forest, no campfires, stove fires, portable gas fire pits, smoking materials or any other type of ignition is allowed on national forest lands. 

 

“There is still a lot of potential for another large wildfire,” said Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais. “The Fork Fire on the Eldorado is still not contained, and there are many other large fires burning throughout the west. Resources will be hard to get, so we need everyone to take this fire ban seriously. If you see anyone lighting a fire of any kind in the forest, please call the nearest ranger station.”

 

Other important things to know if you are planning a visit to the Eldorado National Forest:

 

·      No Overnight Camping in dispersed areas, including wilderness areas - Forest Order 03-20-15 prohibits camping forest-wide except for designated developed campgrounds. This includes both the Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas.

 

·      Developed Camping Only – Camping in designated developed open campgrounds is allowed. At this time of year, many campgrounds are beginning to close for the season. Campgrounds located within the Fork Fire closure area are closed. Check the Campground Status page on the forest website determine which facilities are open.

 

·      Fork Fire Closure Area – The Fork Fire in the Georgetown and Pacific Ranger Districts is 1,667 acres and 70% contained. A closure order for the fire area prohibits road, trail and other recreation access near the fire to protect public safety. The closure area has been revised. For details and a map of the closure area, see Forest Order 03-20-19.

 

·      Day Use – Day Use facilities, such as picnic areas and trailheads, will be open except for those facilities that are co-located with a campground that is closed for the season or located within the Fork Fire closure area. Day hiking in the Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness areas is allowed. NOTE: Access to Rockbound /Twin Lakes Trailhead is walk-in only from the overflow parking area at Wrights Lake.

 

·      Recreation Residences and Resorts – Open.

 

·      Desolation and Mokelumne Wilderness Areas – Day use only. No overnight backpacking / no overnight camping. No campfires. No stoves. No smoking.

 

·      Pacific Crest Trail – Hikers should be aware of forest boundaries and check for variations in restrictions on the Eldorado, Stanislaus and Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forests. You can also check the Pacific Crest Trail Association website for closure information:

https://www.pcta.org/discover-the-trail/closures/

 

·      Forest Access – All Forest System lands, roads and trails are open, except for those included within the Fork Fire closure area, or those undergoing construction.

 

• ·Foster Meadows Road (9N14) will be closed at the Cosumnes River crossing during culvert installation on Friday 9/25/20 or longer if there are unexpected work delays.

 

• Wentworth Springs Road (El Dorado County Road 63) is closed north from the junction with Ice House Road due to the Fork Fire. 

 

**Caltrans’ is ahead of schedule on the Highway 50 Echo Summit Bridge project which has been increasing the use of Highway 88.** This work may be completed as early as Monday. For more information go to this Caltrans web site for daily updates: www.way2tahoe.com/daily-updates. The detours designated by Caltrans are State Routes 89, 88, 49 and 16, through Amador, El Dorado and Alpine County. Mormon Emigrant Trail / Iron Mountain Road is not a Highway 50 detour as the road was not engineered to handle the commercial traffic.

 

For more information on recreation opportunities and current conditions in the Eldorado National Forest, visit the forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado or contact our virtual services Visitor Information staff from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at:

 

• Forest Supervisor's Office: 530-303-2412
• Amador Ranger District:  209-259-3774
• Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts:  916-500-4712
• Georgetown Ranger District: 530-334-6477

 

###

 

 

The U.S.D.A Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.