Muskrat Fire Area Closure Rescinded

Release Date: Aug 21, 2014

Contact:                              Kassidy Kern, Public Affairs Specialist, 541-383-5517

                             

For Release:     August 21, 2014

Muskrat Fire Area Closure Rescinded

West Cultus Campground Reopens to the Public

BEND- The Deschutes National Forest has rescinded the order that closed a portion of the forest north of Cultus Lake to the public. The rescission is effective immediately.

An area closure was put in place to provide for public and firefighter safety during active suppression efforts on the Muskrat Fire approximately 2 miles north west of Cultus Lake. All Forest Service roads, trails, campgrounds and other facilities on the forest within the closure area have reopened to public use.

Several campgrounds were closed due to the Muskrat Fire, including the boat-in West Cultus Campground, which is now open to the public.

The public is urged to use caution when travelling in the back country near the recently burned area because dead or weakened trees have the potential to fall down.

Campfire restrictions and an Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 “partial shutdown” remain in effect on the Deschutes National Forest, along with the Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and the Prineville BLM.

-USFS-