Be aware that the condition of forest roads and recreation trails can
change dramatically without warning; wind and rain events can have
substantial and detrimental effects on road and trail conditions
causing hazards and obstructions to travel. It is advisable to consult your
local office before your trip. Please exercise caution and good judgement
while traversing on roads that are still muddy and/or snow covered. Have
a safe trip!
Forest Orders
Forest Orders are legal prohibitions which are issued by a National Forest Officer when necessary for the protection or administration of the National Forest or for promotion of public health, safety or welfare.
Current Conditions
Current conditions including weather, wildfire information, public-use restrictions and more.
Public-use restrictions including restrictions on campfires, wood stoves, briquettes and smoking are in effect.
A potential harmful algae bloom has been discovered at a small pond near a popular dispersed camp site south of Forest Service Road 5412 on the North Fork John Day Ranger District. Until further notice, Forest officials advise the public to not use the water for swimming, drinking or fishing.
Exposure to harmful algae can make humans and pets sick. The pond was a former gravel pit that is stocked with fish and often used by livestock. In recent weeks, the pond was discovered covered in yellow-green algae followed by dead fish floating in the water. Forest officials have taken water samples for testing. The pond has been marked with signs and fenced off to prevent livestock from accessing it.
For additional information on this incident, please contact Richard Cissel at 541-427-5341 or rcissel@fs.fed.us.
Burnt Cabin Bridge, located at the junction of the Burnt Cabin Trail and South Fork Walla Walla Trail, is structurally unsound. The bridge structural supports (stringers and sills) are severely rotted and could fail at any time.
For your safety, use of the Burnt Cabin Bridge by the public, including hikers, stock users, bicyclists and motorcyclists is prohibited.
Fording the river is not recommended due to high water flows.
Sorry for your inconvenience. Alternate access to South Fork Walla Walla River Trail is available via Rough Fork Trailhead or South Fork Walla Walla River Trailhead.
For more information contact the Walla Walla Ranger District at (509) 522-6290.
Maintenance on Olive Lake Dam closes small portion of lake to public access! Lake level will drop significantly over the next few months. Click here to learn more..
The Forest Service has issued a new parking configuration for the Sno-Parks at Spout Springs Ski Area. The parking modification changes the north parking area to day-use only (in order to alleviate safety concerns raised by Spout Springs) and authorizes overnight parking for trucks/trailers in a portion of the south parking area. Sno-Park use would continue to be available on a first come-first serve basis for both parking areas and require an ODOT sno-park permit from Nov. 1- April 30.
Spout Springs has yet to announce an official opening date. Additional information on Spout Springs Ski Area is available at (http://www.spoutspringsskiarea.com/).
Forest officials will assess the effectiveness of these changes at the end of the season. Please submit comments or concerns to Mike Rassbach at mrassbach@fs.fed.us.
The Umatilla National Forest seeks to provide a safe environment for the public, its employees, and natural resources. So while only a fraction of National Forest System lands are affected by illegal marijuana cultivation, the Forest Service believes that safety risks are real and visitors and employees should be informed about them. more
As part of a larger effort to reduce invasive species on national forest lands, weed-free feed is now required for those using National Forests in the Pacific Northwest. (See Weed-Free-Feed Website) Weed free feed providers: Oregon /Washington.
Forest Service Road 5326, the current western route between Heppner and Ukiah, has been closed due to washouts and road damage that have created unsafe driving conditions. The public is advised to take Highway 74 from Nye/Franklin Grade as an alternate route.
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