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News Release

FLATHEAD NATIONAL FOREST

NEWS RELEASE

August 25, 2003                                                                                  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTION OF NORTH FORK ROAD TO BE RE-OPENED

Beginning Monday, August 25, at 6:00 a.m. a portion of the North Fork Road, from Glacier Rim to Polebridge, it will be open to the public.  Motorists are restricted to traveling from Glacier Rim directly to Polebridge; they cannot stop or get out of their vehicles.  Any and all roads that junction with the North Fork Road will remain closed along with all National Forest adjacent to the road.  The North Fork of the Flathead River will remain closed.  The Sheriff’s checkpoint will be moved to just past the Polebridge turn off on the North Fork Road.  The area beyond this checkpoint and Red Meadows Road remains closed to all except residents, emergency personnel, and firefighters.  A second closure will be above the town of Polebridge restricting access to the river access point and Glacier National Park. This is a modification to the existing Glacier View Ranger District (Wedge Fire Closure) area closure and Montana State Statute.

Barricades and personnel will be located at each river access point including but not limited to Great Northern Flats, Big Creek, Coal Creek, and Polebridge.  Additional access roads and areas, Hay Creek, McGinnis Creek, and Big Creek will also be staffed and barricaded.  Also, the Canyon Creek Road remains closed with a private security group at the entrance.   Camas Creek road remains closed and gated. 

Law enforcement and Forest Service employees will be patrolling this section of the road and river use areas.  Any vehicle found stopped or person found outside their vehicle within the restricted area will be ticketed. 

The travel restrictions are in effect due to the concern for public safety.  Snags, burning stumps, hidden pockets of hot air trapped under the soil, and unburned islands still exist on either side of the North Fork Road in the burned area. District Ranger Jimmy DeHerrrera “asks that the public please adhere to the no stopping restriction, this system worked when Glacier National Park first opened the Going to the Sun Road.  We expect no less from the forest users.”  The snag hazard has been reduced along the North Fork Road, but there is still the potential of trees coming down, motorists need to be cautious. 

For more information contact the Joint Information Center at (406) 755-3910

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