RE-POSTED BY EDSO ON BEHALF OF THE USFS
For Immediate Release

Date: September 30, 2014

Contact: Joy Barney, (530) 621-5268

Twitter: @EldoradoNF
Web: http://www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado

Eldorado National Forest Re-opens Portions of the King Fire Closure Area

Placerville, CA – Some popular recreation areas will be re-opened to the public on September 30, 2014, announced Forest Supervisor Laurence Crabtree.  Recreation areas such as the Rubicon Jeep Trail, Wrights Lake, Desolation Wilderness and the east side of Ice House Road are open to the public. Some recreation areas have been closed since September 17, 2014. Forest Order 03-14-111 replaces Forest Order 03-14-110 effective September 30, 2014 until the King Fire is declared out.

“Although fire crews have nearly contained the King Fire, it is still active, and there are a lot of firefighting resources still in the area,” said Crabtree.  “I intend to open more of the Forest to the public as soon as it is safe to do so.”

There is still active fire, fire related hazards and fire crews in some areas.  The following recreation areas and roads remain closed to the public.  These include, but are not limited to:  lands west of Ice House Road, including Union Valley Reservoir; Stumpy Meadows, the Hell Hole Reservoir area, Sand Mountain Blvd, Peavine Road, and Eleven Pines Road.

Visitors are asked to comply with the updated Forest Order and are reminded that fire restrictions are still in effect.  Forest Service staff will be patrolling to ensure compliance.

Pursuant to 16 USC 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Georgetown, Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts of the Eldorado National Forest.  This Order is effective from September 30, 2014 until the King Fire is declared out or by termination of the Order.

• Going into or being upon any National Forest System land within the King Fire Closure.  The King Fire Closure boundary begins at the intersection of Federal Highway 50 and Ice House Road, then continues north along Ice House Road to its intersection with Wentworth Springs Road, then continues north along Wentworth Springs Road to its intersection with Forest Road No. 14N05,then continues northwest along Forest Road No. 14N05 to its intersection with Forest Trail No. 15E02, then continues northwest along Forest Trail No. 15E02 to the Eldorado National Forest boundary, then continues north, west and southwest along the Eldorado National Forest boundary to the Rubicon River, then continues southeast along the Rubicon River to Forest Trail No. 11E03, then continues southwest along Forest Trail No. 11E03 to its end at the Donaldson Trailhead, then from Donaldson Trailhead continues south along Volcanoville Road to its intersection with Wentworth Springs Road, then continues southeast along Wentworth Springs Road to its intersection with Forest Road No. 12N64 (Sand Mountain Blvd), then continues south along Forest Road No. 12N64 (Sand Mountain Blvd) to its intersection with Mosquito Road, then continues south along Mosquito Road to its intersection with Union Ridge Road, then continues southeast along Union Ridge Road to its intersection with Carson Road, then continues east 2.2 miles along Carson Road to its intersection with Federal Highway 50, then continues east along Federal Highway 50 back to the starting point.  36 CFR 261.53(e).

• Being on any National Forest System road within the King Fire Closure Area, as shown on the attached map.  36 CFR 261.54(e).

• Being on any National Forest System trail within the King Fire Closure Area, as shown on the attached map.  36 CFR 261.55(a).

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

• Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission.
• Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 CFR 261, Subpart A.

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.  16 USC 551 and 18 USC 3559, 3571 and 3581.

The closure order and map are posted on the Eldorado National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado.

Additional Information about the King Fire can be found at:

https://www.facebook.com/KINGFIREPIO

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4108

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NEW Public Information phone lines have been established.

With continued favorable weather conditions firefighting efforts are progressing well and the Incident Commander reports 84% containment of the King Fire.

Current road closures exist to support fire operations as follows:

Mosquito Road is closed from Wentworth Springs Road to Stope Drive.

Ice House Road is closed from US Highway 50.

Please use caution when traveling in the areas affected by this fire as five thousand Firefighters are still actively working this event and fire apparatus including big rigs and bulldozers are utilizing the roads as well.

All areas of El Dorado County affected by the King Fire have been repopulated. No areas remain under evacuation orders.