Bend, Ore. – Effective Wednesday, September 27, the Deschutes National Forest will rescind the temporary Forest Closure Order (06-18-01-23-26) for the Petes Lake Fire.
The closure began on September 19 and encompassed all Deschutes National Forest managed lands including Horse Lake Trail, Island Meadow Trail, Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail – Irish Mtn., Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail – Maiden Peak, Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail – Three Sister, Senoj Lake Trail #14.1, Six Lakes Trail, Six Lakes Trailhead, Snowshoe Lakes Trail, Winopee Lake Trail, Winopee Tie Trail, Winopee Trailhead, and Elk Lake Trailhead. All of these areas, including the Wanoga Sno-Park are now open to the public.
A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail was burned over by the Petes Lake Fire and the public is reminded to use caution through fire-impacted areas.
The Petes Lake Fire remains on the Willamette National Forest and forecasted wetter and colder weather conditions are expected to keep fire activity minimal until a season ending event fully extinguishes hot spots.
The Petes Lake Fire was started by lighting on August 25, 2023. The fire is now 3,254 acres and 50% of the indirect suppression measures (e.g. the shaded fuel break, roadside mastication and brushing) has been completed at this time. The use of indirect suppression strategizes minimizes risk to firefighters, while offering containment options for this and future fires.
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