Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District issues emergency fire closures

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Lakeview District Office

Media Contact:

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. — As a result of extreme fire activity, the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District has temporarily closed Ward Road from Route 66 to Mud Springs Rd and Copco/Big Bend Road-entire Road south of the Emergency Spillway. The Klamath River will also be closed to rafting from the Klamath Dam to the Oregon-California Stateline. In addition, campgrounds in the Upper Klamath River canyon on river right are closed, and the public is asked to stay out of the canyon area.

The public may not enter or drive on closed areas and roads, and all uses—including hunting and dispersed camping—are prohibited.

Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority. The extreme fire danger and behavior have prompted the closure of these areas while fire suppression crews respond to the incidents. As it becomes safe, firefighters will begin to assess the fires and their impacts in alignment with sound risk management practices.

Fire danger remains “Extreme” in Lake and Klamath counties. Extremely dry fuels and seasonal winds can make even a small spark rapidly grow into a large wildfire.

The public is responsible for ensuring that they have reviewed and are aware of the restrictions in place for the landscape they plan to recreate or work on. For all agencies, violation of these prohibitions could result in citations, fines, and even imprisonment, depending on the agency and order.

The latest restrictions and regulations, including for ODF and the federal agencies, are available at https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.