Area Closure Expands on Sisters Ranger District

Milli Fire Activity Prompts Additional Closures

BEND – With the head of the Milli Fire continuing to move south and east, forest officials are expanding the area closure currently in place on the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest due to increased fire activity.

The eastern edge of the area closure has bumped out to cover Forest Road 16 along the Sisters Ranger District boundary around the Peterson Ridge trail system which will be closed to the public. The closure extends south along Forest Road 1605 as it becomes Forest Roads 4606 and 4605 traveling through private land and near the burn scar of the Two Bulls Fire that burned in 2014. Forest Road 370 from Three Creeks to junction 4601 is closed, and will not include Tumalo Falls Trailhead, which remains open to the public. The area closure will include Three Creeks Lake, Three Creek Meadow and Park Meadows which were closed this morning when Forest Road 16 was closed due to fire activity and fire crews and heavy equipment working in the area. The western boundary of the closure is similar to the previous area closure with the addition of Three Sisters Wilderness trails into Camp Lake and Demaris Lake. The northern boundary of the closure along Highway 242 and north on Forest Roads 1030 and 1008 remains unchanged.

Deschutes National Forest, Sisters Ranger District closures include: Black Crater Trail #4058, Millican Crater Trail #4066, Scott Pass Trail #4068, North Matthieu Lake Trail #4062, Trout Creek Tie Trail #4067, Millian Crater Trailhead, Scott Pass Trailhead, Whispering Pines Campground, Trout Creek Swamp, Sisters Cow Camp, Chush Falls Trail #4080, Pole Creek Trail #4072 & Trailhead, Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the Highway 242 crossing to the trail junction with the FSR 4601, Whychus Overlook Trail, Whychus Creek Trail, Demaris Lake Trail #4074.1, Camp Lake Trail #4074, Park Meadow Trail #4075 & Trailhead, Three Creek Lake Campgrounds and associated trails, Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead, Peterson Ridge Trail System.

The Pacific Crest Trail closure remains in place beginning at Elk Lake and extending to Highway 242. Hikers are encouraged to get a ride north to Britenbush Lake, or take public transit north toward Government Camp near Mt. Hood.  See www.pcta.org.

The public is encouraged to KNOW BEFORE YOU GO by contacting the Sisters Ranger District office at 541-549-7700 if you plan to visit the area.

The Milli Fire is currently being managed by Southwest Area Incident Management Team 2. For more information on this fire, please visit:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5517/ or call 541-316-7711.

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