June 18, 2022 10:40 a.m.  

Much of the previously closed areas associated with the 2021 wildfires in the Umpqua National Forest are now open.

Chris Bentley of the UNF said that includes a large area that was in the Jack Fire, Rough Patch Complex and Devil’s Knob Complex fires.

Bentley said the new closure order, which will stay in effect until next June unless rescinded earlier, keeps only two portions of the North Umpqua Trail, one near Fall Creek Falls and the other near Mott Bridge, as well as a small section of Forest Road 4710 closed. Otherwise all areas of the old closure area are now open.

Bentley said the UNF thanks the public for their patience while the larger closure was in effect for public safety. Due to the severe fires last year, a lot of ground disturbance and danger trees were throughout the area. Bentley said thanks to the dedicated efforts of many volunteers and U.S. Forest Service staff, the vast majority of the areas that were closed are now open and accessible again. Residents are still urged to use caution as landslides can still occur and danger trees might still fall.