January 7, 2020 3:25 a.m.

Due to predicted heavy snows for the Toketee and Diamond Lake areas, staff with the Umpqua National Forest has closed a temporary gate leading to the Umpqua Hot Springs.

Mark Turney of the Forest Service said that gate is just past the junction of Forest Roads 34 and 3401. Turney said the gate will remain closed for the remainder of the winter season and will reopen later in the spring once conditions allow.

The Umpqua Hot Springs remain closed to the public under a Forest Closure order.

Turney said the action has been coordinated with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and Toketee residents to reduce adverse impacts on DCSO and Search and Rescue personnel. The closure is to prevent vehicles from getting stuck on the road.

For more information on the closure, as well as local weather and driving conditions, call the Toketee Ranger Station at 498-2531. The latest information is also available on the Umpqua National Forest Facebook page.