Single Publication

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE 

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River Ranger District 

FOREST ORDER NO. 06-06-06-24-07 

Whisky Creek Fire Closure Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (CRGNSA), and the Hood River Ranger District of the Mt. Hood National Forest as shown on the attached map (Exhibit A). These prohibitions will become effective July 2 , 2024, and will remain in effect until November 30, 2024, or until rescinded. 

1. Going into or being upon an area closed for the protection of public health or safety. (36 CFR261.53(e)) 

2. Being on a road. (36 CFR § 261.54(e)) 

3. Being on a trail. (36 CFR § 261.55(a)) 

CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION: As depicted on “Exhibit A” all National Forest System lands, roads and trails administered by the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Mt. Hood National Forest, Hood River Ranger District within the following area: The Whisky Creek fire closure area boundary is located on National Forest System lands inside the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness boundary east of the Eagle Creek Trail #440 and east of the Indian Springs Trail #435, in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Mt. Hood National Forest. It also includes Forest Service Lands just east of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness and west of Flume Creek. It extends north of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness to all Forest Service lands just south of the State Trail. 

The following areas currently remain open; Wyeth Campground and the Gorge #400 trail connecting the Eagle Creek Trail #440 to the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead, allowing access for Pacific Crest Trail hikers. 

Additionally, the following Forest Service System roads and trails are closed: 

Closed Roads within the Closure Area Forest Service Road 1000102 Forest Service Road 1000104 Forest Service Road 1002000 Forest Service Road 1004000 Forest Service Road 1310000 Forest Service Road 1310640 Forest Service Road 1310641 Forest Service Road 1310660 Forest Service Road 1310661 Forest Service Road 1310662 Forest Service Road 1310664 Forest Service Road 1310669 Forest Service Road 1311000 Forest Service Road 1400030 Forest Service Road 1400032 Forest Service Road 1400034 Forest Service Road 1400036 Forest Service Road 1400038 Forest Service Road 1403000 Forest Service Road 1403007 Forest Service Road 1430000 Forest Service Road 2810000 Forest Service Road 2810630 Forest Service Road 2810650 Forest Service Road 2820000 Forest Service Road 2820011 Forest Service Road 2820013 Forest Service Road 2820622 Forest Service Road 2820631 Forest Service Road 2820632 Forest Service Road 2820633 Forest Service Road 2820634 Forest Service Road 2820635 Forest Service Road 2820636 Forest Service Road 2820650 Forest Service Road 2820651 Forest Service Road 2820660 Forest Service Road 2820661 Forest Service Road 2820662 Forest Service Road 2820663 Forest Service Road 2820670 Forest Service Road 2820685 Forest Service Road 2821000 Forest Service Road 2821620 Forest Service Road 2821621 Forest Service Road 2821630 Forest Service Road 2821640 

Closed Trails within the Closure Area Anthill Trail #406B Bear Lake Trail #413A Benson-Ruckel Trail #405A Benson Spur Trail #405C Casey Creek Trail #476 Chinidere Cutoff Trail #405M Chinidere Mountain Trail #445 Deadwood Trail #422 Eagle-Benson Trail #434 Eagle Creek Trail #440 east of its junction with Indian Springs Trail #435 east to its junction with Pacific Crest Trail #2000 Gorge Trail #400, east of its junction with the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 east to its junction with Wyeth Trail #411 Gorton Creek Trail #408 Green Point Ridge Trail #418 Herman Bridge Trail #406E Herman Creek Trail #406 Herman Cutoff Trail #410 Mitchell Point Trail #417 Mt. Defiance Trail #413 Mt. Defiance Tie Trail #413B Mud Lake Trail #406A Nick Eaton Trail #447 North Lake Trail #423 Pacific Crest Trail #2000 north of its junction with Indian Springs Trail #435 north to its junctionat Bridge of the Gods Trailhead Plateau Cutoff Trail #412 Rainy Lake Trail #423A Rainy-Kingsley Trail #409B Rainy-Wahtum Trail #409 Ridge Cutoff Trail #437 Ruckel Creek Trail #405 Starvation Ridge Trail #414 Starvation Ridge Cut-Off Trail #414B Wahtum Express Trail #406H Wahtum Switchback Trail #407 Warren Lake Trail #417A West Benson Way Trail #405B Wyeth Trail #411 

Closed Recreation Sites within the Closure Area Black Lake Campground & Trailhead Herman Creek Campground & Trailhead Indian Springs/PCT North Trailhead Mt. Defiance South Trailhead Rainy Lake Campground & Trailhead Wahtum Lake Campground & Trailhead Warren Lake Trailhead 

EXEMPTIONS: Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order: 

1. Any person with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission. 

2. Any Federal, State, or local official or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in theperformance of an official duty. 

3. Owners or lessees of land within the closed area. 

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR part 261, subpart A. Violations of these Prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual and $10,000 for an organization or imprisonment for not more than six (6) months, or both. [16 USC § 551, 18 USC § 3571 ]. These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR part 261, subpart A. 

PURPOSE: The closure is necessary to provide protection for forest users, firefighting personnel, and natural resources from the current Whisky Creek Fire. 

Executed in Hood River, Oregon and Sandy, Oregon this 26 day of July, 2024.

DONNA MICKLEY Forest Supervisor Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area

META LOFTSGAARDEN Forest Supervisor Mt. Hood National Forest