Incident Publication

With ideal weather conditions continuing, Carson National Forest fire managers are tentatively continuing with prescribed fire activity this week. Crews are continuing to prepare for the American Creek Prescribed Fire, where ignitions will begin as early as Oct. 1 and are expected to last two to three days.

Afterwards, crews will turn to the La Jara/Apache and Sotano prescribed fires as early as Oct. 5, although the exact day of ignitions will depend on wind, weather and fuel moisture conditions. Ignitions on both could occur simultaneously.

“A lot of work over the summer went into preparing all our prescribed fire units for this fall,” said Fire and Fuels Staff Officer Brent Davidson. “Crews built and strengthened firelines, which are similar to containment lines on wildfires and act as unit boundaries.”

Both prescribed fires will be understory burns, in which crews apply fire broadly throughout an area under the canopy to mimic fire’s natural role in vegetation communities where it is frequent and low-intensity. Grasses, leaf litter, fallen and dried pine needles, downed branches, brush and occasional single or clusters of trees are burned.

La Jara and Apache Prescribed Fire

Near Angel Fire, Taos Pines and Valle Escondido (Colfax and Taos counties)

Crews will work on two units (map): The 1,350-acre La Jara Unit on both sides of Forest Road 5 and adjacent to Taos Pines and the 510-acre Apache Unit adjacent to Angel Fire (and the Elliot Barker Trail). Crews applied prescribed fire to a portion of the Apache Unit in 2021. Ignitions are expected to last three to six days.

This project is part of the La Jara Fuels Reduction and Restoration Project, which has been ongoing since 2005. The recently proposed Taos Canyon Forest and Watershed Restoration Project would continue the same kind of work of thinning and prescribed fire to restore fire-dependent ecosystems and reduce the threat of wildfire to communities.

The project is part of the larger Enchanted Circle Landscape, an initiative of the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy to reduce the threat of wildfire to communities, infrastructure and natural resources.

Sotano Prescribed Fire

Near El Rito and Vallecitos (Rio Arriba County)

This unit is 2,365 acres to the north of El Rito and west of Vallecitos (map). Ignitions are expected to last two to four days. It is off Forest Road 44 and partially between the 2019 Francisquito and 2022 Midnight Fire burn areas on the west and the 2023 Alamosa Unit 1 Prescribed Fire to the east.

Work is part of the El Rito Canyon Restoration Project to restore forest, watershed and wildlife habitat health, reduce threats of wildfire to communities and infrastructure and increase the availability of personal-use wood products.

The project is part of the wider Rio Chama Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Project, which aims to protect forest communities and increase the health of the area watershed, which serves millions of people downstream.

Stay Updated

The public can keep updated with the prescribed fire activity on InciWeb (La Jara/Apache, Sotano). General notifications are also available by email, social media and the web.

A new Carson National Forest website section includes more information about prescribed fires, including smoke readiness, fire ecology and new approaches for safer prescribed fires.

A limited number of portable air filters, donated by the Forest Stewards Guild, are available for loan for residents near the Sotano Prescribed Fire. Call the El Rito Ranger Station at (575) 581-4554 for availability.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
FOREST SERVICE
WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST
SPRINGFIELD, OREGON
ORDER # 06-18-10-24-33
FOREST ORDER
CHALK FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE
 

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety,
the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System (“NFS”) areas, roads, and trails
described below within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. Refer
to exhibit A for the map and exhibit B for trails, and recreation sites that are closed. This Order
supersedes Forest Order # 06-18-10-24-22 and is effective from October 1, 2024, through
November 15, 2024, unless otherwise rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:
1. Being on the road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e).

2. Being on a trail. 36 CFR § 261.55(a).

3. Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public
health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e).

CLOSURE AREA:
The closure area is located within the State of Oregon, Lane County, and within the
Administrative Boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The closure applies to the NFS
areas, roads, and trails and trailheads described below. The closure area is depicted on the
attached map, which is incorporated into this order as “Exhibit A”. All areas, roads, trails,
campgrounds, and recreation sites in this closure area are closed. All roads forming the
boundary of the closure area are included in the closure except for FS Road 1928. Recreation
sites, trails and campgrounds closed by this order are depicted in “Exhibit B”.

Area Closure Description
The Area Closure boundary begins at the junction of Forest Service (FS) Road 19 and FS
Road 1912, then continues due east to the Willamette National Forest ownership boundary in
Township 20 S, Range 3 E, Section 26. The closure boundary follows the Forest boundary east
to its junction with FS Road 1928, then follows FS Road 1928 north-northeast to its junction
with FS Road 19. The closure boundary then proceeds southwest on FS Road 19 to its junction
with FS Road 1925. The boundary then follows FS Road 1925 north-northwest to its junction
with FS Road 1925-646, then proceeds west on FS Road 1925-646 to its junction with FS Road
1912. The closure boundary then follows FS Road 1912 southwest then southeast to its
junction with FS Road 19 and the origin point of the closure boundary.

Additionally:
• Huckleberry Flats OHV riding area is closed west of FS Road 1928

• The segment of Alpine Trail #3450 that enters the closure boundary in Township 20 S,
Range 3 E, Sections 9, 8, and 17 is open

EXEMPTIONS:
Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1) and (4), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

(1) Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails,
or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically exempting them for this
Order.

(2) Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of organized rescue or fire fighting
force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an
individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months
or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3551, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Springfield, Oregon on this 30th day of September, 2024.

Donna Mickley

Acting Forest Supervisor

Willamette National Forest

Chalk Fire Closure Exhibit B Closure Number 06-18-10-24-33 Willamette National Forest

Closed NFS Trails:

3666.2 North Fork Segment #2

Closed NFS Campgrounds and Rec Sites:

Huckleberry Flats OHV (west of FS Road 1928) OHV Area

North Fork Segment #2 TH (FS Road 1912) Trailhead

North Fork Segment #3 TH (FS Road 1919) Trailhead

Four Willamette National Forest closures are in effect near the Willamette Complex North fires.  

These orders can be found below and under the InciWeb "CLOSURES" tab.

374 Fire Closure - Order Number 06-18-01-24-43

Boulder Creek Fire Closure- Order Number 06-18-01-24-41

Linton Creek Fire Closure - Order Number 06-18-01-24-42

Ore Fire Closure- Order Number 06-18-01-24-40

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

SPRINGFIELD, OREGON

ORDER# 06-18-01-24-41 FOREST ORDER

BOULDER CREEK FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System ("NFS") areas, roads, and trails described below within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. Refer to Exhibit A for the map. This Order supersedes Order Number 06-18-01-24-37 and is effective on October 1, 2024, through January 1, 2025, unless otherwise rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:

1. Being on the road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e)
2. Being on a trail. 36 CFR § 261.55(a)
3.  Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e)

CLOSURE AREA:

The closure area is located within the State of Oregon, Lane County, and within the Administrative Boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The closure applies to the NFS areas and roads described below. The closure area is depicted on the attached map, which is incorporated into this order as "Exhibit A". All areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, and recreation sites in this closure area are closed. However, all roads or trails that serve as a closure boundary are open and passable, including Highway 126, Forest Service Road (FSR) 2653, and FSR 2649.

Area Closure Description

The closure boundary starts at the junction of Highway 126 and FSR 2653 (Boulder Creek Road) and proceeds east along FSR 2653 to FSR 2657. It continues south along FSR 2653 to FSR 2649 (Scctt Creek Road). It then follows FSR 2649 west to Highway 126, and then north along Highway 126, ending back at the junction of FSR 2653.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1) and (4), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically exempting them for this Order.

2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3551, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Springfield, Oregon on this 30th day of September 2024.

Digitally signed by 

DONNA MICKLEY 

Donna Mickley

Acting Forest Supervisor Willamette National Forest

UNITEDS TATES DEPARTMENTOF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

SPRINGFIELD, OREGON

ORDER# 06-18-01-24-43 FOREST ORDER

374 FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System ("NFS") areas, roads, and trails described below within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. Refer to Exhibit A for the map and Exhibit B for trails and recreation sites that are closed. This Order supersedes Order# 06-18-01-24-37 and is effective on October 1, 2024, through January 1, 2025, unless otherwise rescinded sooner.

PROHIBlllONS:

1. Being on the road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e)
2. Being on a trail. 36 CFR § 261.55(a)
3.  Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e)

CLOSURE AREA:

The closure area is located within the State of Oregon, Lane County, and within the Administrative Boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The closure applies to the NFS areas, roads, and trails and trailheads described below. The closure area is depicted on the attached map, which is incorporated into this order as "Exhibit A". All areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, and recreation sites in this closure area are closed. All trails that serve as the boundary of this closure area are also closed. Recreation sites, trails and campgrounds closed by this order are depicted in "Exhibit B".

Area Closure Description

The closure boundary starts at the junction of Forest Service Trail (FST) 3523 (McBee) and FST 3307 (Crossing Way) near Roaring River Ridge just outside the Three Sisters Wilderness. It proceeds northeast along FST 3523 to the junction of FST 3518 (Mud Lake). From there, it continues east along FST 3518 until it turns south following FST 3526 (Mink Lake) to the junction of FST 4338 (Porky Lake). The closure boundary then proceeds east along FST 4338 to the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and continues southwest along the PCT to the Willamette National Forest and Deschutes National Forest boundary line. From there, it continues southwest along the Forest boundary line to FST 3307 (Crossing Way) and then follows FST 3307 northwest to where it started at FST 3523 (McBee).

EXEMPllONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1) and (4), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically exempting them for this Order.

2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of organized rescue or
    

fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3551, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Springfield, Oregon on this 30th day of September 2024.

Digitally signed by DOONNA MICKLEY

Donna Mickley

Acting Forest Supervisor Willamette National Forest

Superior National Forest Restricts Campfire Use Within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness & Modifies Wood Lake Fire Closure 

Drying conditions continue across northern Minnesota prompts campfire restrictions & modifies closures of lakes and portages around the Wood Lake Fire 

Duluth, Minn. September 30, 2024—Due to continued dry conditions and worsening wildfire danger conditions, the Superior National Forest has issued an Emergency Forest Order 09-09-24-08 - effective October 1, 2024 - restricting the igniting, building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire or campfire, including charcoal grills and barbeques, coal, and woodburning stoves to reduce the likelihood of a wildfire within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW) of the Superior National Forest. (Forest Order 09-09-24-08). 

BWCAW campfire restriction information and Exhibit A-Closure Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/superior/notices/?cid= BWCAW campfire restrictions go into effect beginning Tuesday morning (00:01) a.m., October 1, 2024. Gas or propane cook stoves are allowed throughout the Superior National Forest, including the BWCAW and are a safer option than campfires. Stoves or grills fueled by charcoal, or any type of wood are not allowed. These restrictions will continue until further notice. 

In addition to the campfire restriction effect, the Superior National Forest is reinstating the Wood Lake Fire closure restrictions, to close Wood, Good, Hula, and Indiana Lakes and connecting portages. 

“We have seen warmer and dryer conditions across much of the Superior National Forest, especially within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. We want the recreating public to be safe as they enjoy the Forest,” stated Tom Hall, Superior National Forest Supervisor. 

The potential for wildfire is high across all ownerships in northern Minnesota at this time. It is extremely important that people area careful with any sources of ignition such as smoking devices, dragging chains, and recreational vehicles. If you are in a location where you can have a campfire outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, consider if the conditions are right and if you need a fire. Be sure to keep your campfire small and put it out cold to the touch whenever you leave it. All permitted campfires must be attended all times. 

For additional information regarding fire-related and/or forest closures and updates: 

• Superior National Forest website www.fs.usda.gov/superior, and Superior NF Fire Management 

• Minnesota Incident Command System website at www.mnics.org 

• SNF Forest Orders are available here USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. 

• A Special Weather Statement has been issued for counties of the Superior National Forest for near-critical fire weather 

• A Red Flag Warning is issued for counties west and southwest of the Superior National Forest: https://mnics.org/wpress/red-flag-warning-issued-5

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENTOF AGRICULTURE

FOREST SERVICE WILLAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

SPRINGFIELD, OREGON

ORDER# 06-18-01-24-40 FOREST ORDER

ORE FIRE EMERGENCY AREA CLOSURE

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on the National Forest System ("NFS") areas, roads, and trails described below within the administrative boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. Refer to Exhibit A for the map. This Order supersedes Order# 06-18-01-24-31 and is effective on October 1, 2024, through January 1, 2025, unless otherwise rescinded sooner.

PROHIBITIONS:

1. Being on the road. 36 CFR § 261.54(e)
2. Being on a trail. 36 CFR § 261.55(a)
3.  Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands closed for the protection of public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53(e)

CLOSURE AREA:

The closure area is located within the State of Oregon, Lane and Linn Counties, and within the Administrative Boundaries of the Willamette National Forest. The closure applies to the NFS areas, roads, and trails and trailheads described below. The closure area is depicted on the attached map, which is incorporated into this order as "Exhibit A". All areas, roads, trails, campgrounds, and recreation sites in this closure area are closed. All roads and trails that serve as the boundary of this closure area are open and passable. Forest Service Trail (FST) 3370 (Gold Hill) and Gold Hill Trailhead are open. Tidbits South Trailhead and FST 3328 (Tidbits South) between the trailhead and FST 3370 are closed.

Area Closure Description

The closure boundary starts at the junction of Forest Service Road (FSR) 15 and FSR 1509. It proceeds along FSR 1509 to the north into the northeast quarter section of section 15 of Township 15 South and Range 5 East where it turns north and then proceeds west along Forest Service Trail (FST) 3328 (Tidbits South) to FST 3370 (Gold Hill). From there, it follows FST 3370 north to the Gold Hill Trailhead and then continues northeast along FSR 1509 to the junction of FSR 1509 and FSR 1513. The closure boundary follows FSR 1513 southeast to the junction of FSR 15 and continues southwest along FSR 15 where it ends at the junction of FSR 15 and FSR 1509.

EXEMPTIONS:

Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50(e)(1) and (4), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order) specifically exempting them for this Order.

2. Any Federal, State, or Local Officer, or member of organized rescue or

fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR Part 261, Subpart A

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000.00 for an individual or $10,000.00 for a corporation or imprisonment for not more than six months or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. § 3551, 3571, and 3581.

Executed in Springfield, Oregon on this 30th day of September 2024.

Digitally signed by DONNA MICKLEY

Donna Mickley

Acting Forest Supervisor Willamette National Forest