Umpqua NF expands Castle Fire closure

Umpqua National Forest expanded its closure around the Castle Fire on July 31, saying all National Forest System lands, roads and trails inside the updated area are closed to the public. The agency said the order, numbered #06-15-02-26-02, supersedes an earlier closure issued for the fire area. Fire officials said in an August 4 update that the Castle Fire had burned 2,758 acres about 23 miles northeast of Tiller, Oregon, and was 30% contained. Officials said 696 personnel were assigned and the fire, which started July 22, was caused by lightning. ### Which parts of the forest are now closed? The closure order applies to National Forest System lands, roads and trails within the mapped Castle Fire closure area in the Tiller Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest. The Forest Service said the order was expanded because of fire activity and increased vehicle traffic from firefighting crews. Forest Service documents describe the closure boundary through a series of forest roads and trails, and say roads affected include Forest Service Roads 28, 27 and 2781. (fs.usda.gov) The forest said the closure area spans National Forest lands in Douglas and Jackson counties. ### Which campgrounds, trailheads and recreation sites are shut? South Umpqua Falls Day Use Area, South Umpqua Falls Campground, Buckhead Campground and Camp Comfort Campground are among the closed sites listed by the Forest Service. (fs.usda.gov) The agency also listed Castle Creek, Beaver Swamp, Lakes, Fish Lake, Skimmerhorn, Whitehorse Meadows, Acker Divide and Happy Camp trailheads as closed. The Forest Service said all National Forest System trails inside the closure area are shut, not only the named recreation sites. The order remains in place until conditions allow safe reopening. ### Why did officials widen the closure? The Forest Service said the expanded order was needed “to protect the public and provide a safe environment for firefighters.” The agency said increased vehicle traffic tied to firefighting operations raised the risk of accidents and could interfere with emergency work if public access remained open. (fs.usda.gov) The order exempts federal, state and local officers and organized rescue or firefighting forces performing official duties, along with people holding specific Forest Service permits or written determinations. (fs.usda.gov) ### What is happening on the fire line? Fire officials said on August 4 that crews were strengthening containment lines ahead of hotter, drier weather expected in the coming days. (fs.usda.gov) They said firefighters were using firing operations on the north and southeast sides of the fire, while mop-up and patrol work continued on the northwest and southwest portions of the perimeter. Officials said backing, flanking and small-tree torching were still being observed within the perimeter. They also said a two-acre spot fire was being held with hose and fire line around it, and that no additional spot fires had been detected. ### What weather are crews preparing for next? Fire officials said a thermal trough over the area would bring a significant warming trend through the week. (kpic.com) They said high temperatures and critically low afternoon humidity were expected to increase the risk of fire activity. No highway closures were reported in the August 4 fire update. (kpic.com) The next public updates on access and the closure map are being posted through Umpqua National Forest’s alerts and newsroom pages, where the agency has published the signed order and affected-road details. (fs.usda.gov)