Road closures lifted on Pomeroy Ranger District

PENDLETON, Ore. —After assessing road conditions and removing hazard trees along Forest Service Roads 44, 41, and 4206, Forest officials have lifted all road closures in the Pomeroy Ranger District from the 2021 wildfires.

While the road closures have been lifted, portions of the roads are still not accessible due to snow. Forest conditions are dynamic this time of year, and the public is encouraged to plan and contact their local ranger district before starting their trip.

Forest visitors should also be cautious when entering any burned area and be aware of increased hazards, particularly snags (recently burned or dead trees). Dead or dying trees standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds. Loose rocks and logs can be present in a burned area and are unpredictable, creating a falling hazard. The ground in a burned area can also be unstable due to burned-out roots beneath the soil. After soils and vegetation have been charred, rainfall that normally would be absorbed could run off extremely quickly.

Information about the Umatilla National Forest’s 2021 fire season, post-fire recovery, and long-term restoration is available on an interactive story map, which can be viewed here: https://arcg.is/0nyrWq. The story map summarizes the 2021 wildfire season, photos and maps of treatments that aided in firefighting efforts, and updates on restoration activities moving forward.

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.