Update: Public Use Restrictions now Include Wilderness Areas

LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Starting at 12:01 tomorrow morning, the Mountain Lakes, Sky Lakes and Mount Thielsen Wilderness Areas will be under Public Use Restrictions.


This means campfires will not be allowed in the Wilderness Areas.  However, those recreating in the Wilderness, including hikers and backpackers, can use a portable cooking stove or heater using liquefied or bottled gas.

This change to the Public Use Restrictions provides consistent restrictions within shared Wilderness Areas to reduce public confusion.

The rest of the Public Use Restrictions remain in place, including:

• Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. (This includes charcoal briquette fire. Portable cooking stoves and heaters using liquefied or bottled gas are allowed).

• Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least (3) three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

• Possessing or using a vehicle off National Forest System roads.

• Operating any motor vehicle on National Forest System roads where vegetation comes into contact with the vehicle’s undercarriage.

• Operating an internal combustion engine.

• Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.

• Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.

These restrictions are officially referenced as Forest Closure Order Number 06-02-18-01-02.  Violations of the order are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment of not more than six months, or both.

The full closure order can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/Fremont-Winema.

For more information, please contact the Lakeview Interagency Office at 541-947-2151 or your local Ranger District.