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Miller Peak Fire Area Closure Lifted, Plant Creek Road Remains Closed 09-23-2024
Publication Type: News - 09/23/2024 - 12:10
Missoula, Mont., September 23, 2024—Fire suppression repair efforts on the Miller Peak Fire are complete and Forest officials are reopening most of the fire area to the public. A portion of Forest Service Road (FSR) 2132, also known as Plant Creek Road, received significant erosion damage stemming from a large rain event after the high severity fire. The section of road between mile marker 1.25 and mile marker 4.1 is impassable and will remain closed for public safety.
A gate is in place on the lower portion of Plant Creek Road at mile marker 1.25 and a barricade is placed on the north side at mile marker 4.1. The public will need to plan accordingly, as access to Miller Peak from the south will only be available through Holloman Saddle on FSR 4245, also known as North Fork Schwartz Creek Road.
Forest Service engineers are aware of the damage and are working on a design for the repairs. This extensive road project will include essential maintenance and road reconstruction so that access to and through the fire-burned area can be safely restored. Disaster recovery work and road reconstruction is expected to occur next summer.
Crews repaired and restored 47 miles of fireline and 62 different site locations during fire suppression repair efforts. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) work is continuing, and the public may see employees working in the area.
Visitors should be aware of increased risks in burned areas, such as falling trees and limbs, falling rocks, uneven and unstable ground full of holes from burned root systems, and possible landslides. Dead and fire-damaged trees will continue to fall, and washouts and debris flows may occur after heavy rains. Please avoid visiting fire affected areas when there is significant wind, rain, or other stormy weather.
For more information about the Lolo National Forest, please visit the website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/lolo or follow updates on Facebook and X.
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