PINE VALLEY – The U.S. Forest Service is temporarily closing the upper ends of Forest Roads No. 032 and No. 037 as well as the Oak Grove Campground in Dixie National Forest for safety and public protection as concern increases over the extreme fire danger and red flag fire warnings in the area. The closure order will continue until the fire danger subsides.
“The Oak Grove Campground is at the top of the drainage, with only one road in and out. Even with the statewide fire restrictions in effect, firefighters have extinguished several abandoned campfires in the area below the Oak Grove Campground. The closure is a proactive approach to safeguard the public during extremely dry conditions,” said Bevan Killpack of the Pine Valley Ranger District.
Due to recent dry conditions and high fire danger in southwest Utah and northwest Arizona, Color Country Interagency Fire Center managers implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions beginning Thursday. The following acts will be prohibited in Dixie National Forest until further notice:
- Igniting, building, maintaining or using a fire, including with charcoal and briquettes, outside a fire structure that is provided by the Forest Service within a designated area. All developed recreation sites (campgrounds and picnic areas) that are maintained and administered by the Forest Service are shown on the current forest visitor maps and have a permanent fire structure. Stoves or grills that are fueled solely by liquid petroleum fuels are allowed in all locations.
- Smoking outside an enclosed vehicle or building unless in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.
- Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other incendiary devices in any location on federal lands; these are always prohibited.
The Pine Valley Ranger District requests the public’s understanding and willingness to comply with these restrictions for protection of the forest’s resources and for public safety.
For more information on the campground closure and fire restrictions, visit UtahFireInfo, the Dixie National Forest website or contact the Pine Valley Ranger District at 435-652-3100.
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Submitted by: U.S. Forest Service
Email: [email protected]