Bureau of Land Management issues emergency fire closure for Upper Applegate Fire

Medford, Oregon – As a result of the Upper Applegate Fire, the Bureau of Land Management Ashland Field Office has temporarily closed BLM-managed lands in the area for public and firefighter safety. Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, hunting and dispersed camping—are prohibited.

The closure order encompasses the BLM lands within the immediate fire area as well as critical access roads that firefighters are using to access the fire area. Grouse Creek Road is closed to facilitate access for firefighters. Please see the map for full closure information on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/orwafire

Public and firefighter safety are the highest priority. The closure will allow fire suppression crews to continue to safely respond to the incident. As it becomes safe to do so, firefighters will begin to assess the closure and their impacts in alignment with sound risk management practices. For the latest road and weather condition updates, visit https://www.tripcheck.com/. BLM Medford District has additional fire closures and fire restriction information available at https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.