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Marsing, Idaho – The BLM encourages the public to enjoy their public lands for recreational activities in the Owyhee range (southwest Idaho/eastern Oregon) as the area burned by the Soda Fire slowly recovers. Rehabilitation efforts and favorable weather conditions are helping the vegetative cover to reestablish and the delicate soils to stabilize. 

“We want the public to know that recreation areas are open for use but users need to stay on the designated roads and trails to allow the area to continue to recover,” said Michelle Ryerson, Field Manager for the BLM Owyhee Field Office. “Although the BLM never officially closed the burned area after the devastating Soda Fire, we did encourage the public to avoid the area in Owyhee County throughout the winter and spring months for human health and safety as well as resource damage concerns.” 

Recreationists using the area are reminded that motorized travel is limited to the identified designated and existing routes. Cross country travel is prohibited throughout Owyhee County. Rehabilitated fire suppression lines created during fire-fighting activities are not legal travel routes. 

“Wilson Creek, Hemmingway Butte and the whole Owyhee Front are very popular recreational areas and we want them to continue to be available for the public’s use,” said Ryan Homan, Recreation Planner for the Owyhee Field Office. “If you’re using the trails, know the rules of the area you are traveling, read the signs, avoid riding on muddy roads and trails, and always stay on the trail. We ask users for help. Let other riders know where to ride and where not to ride and let us know if you see misconduct.” 

The BLM, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes and Owyhee County will continue to patrol and monitor the burned areas for natural resource damage caused by off highway vehicles before making a determination on the need for restrictions. Inappropriate use may result in closure of certain areas while rehabilitation work continues and the area recovers. 

Efforts to stabilize and rehabilitate the nearly 280,000 acres of federal, state and private lands affected by the Aug. 10, 2015 Soda Fire began last fall and are ongoing. Restoration efforts include vegetation and trail maintenance, culvert installation and fence repairs. The Soda Fire had a devastating impact to ranchers and homeowners who lost livestock and other property on federal, state and private lands. The fire also greatly impacted the sagebrush-steppe landscape that supports native wildlife, wild horses, outdoor recreation, and other important values. Almost all of the burned area is habitat for the greater sage-grouse, with more than 50,000 acres designated as priority habitat for the species.