JOHN DAY — The Malheur National Forest has reduced the closure area for the Rail Ridge Fire on the Blue Mountain Ranger District, according to a press release from the agency.

A new forest order, Malheur Rail Ridge Fire Perimeter Closure (06-04-01-25-01), rescinds and replaces the previous Malheur National Forest Rail Ridge #2 Fire Closure Order (06-04-01-24-30).

The revised closure area, which goes into effect Monday, Oct. 28, is described below.

Closure area description

• From the National Forest boundary in T14S, R27E, Sec. 4, east on the northern Township border to T14S, R27E, Sec. 2, south along the western border of Sections 2 and 11 to the junction of Forest Service Road 2150.

• East on Forest Service Road 2150 to T14S, R28E, Sec. 17, north along the western border of Sec. 17 to Sec. 8, east along the northern border of Sec. 8 to Sec. 9. North along the western border of Sections 9 and 4 to the Forest Service Boundary,

• East on the Forest Service Boundary to T14S, R28E, Sec. 1.

• South along the western border of T14S, R28E, Section 1 to the junction with Forest Service Road 21, south along the western edge of Forest Service Road 21 to the junction with T14S, R28E, Section 12.

• South along the western border of T14S, R28E, Sections 12,13, 24, 25, 36 and T15S, 28E, Sections 1 and 12 to Forest Service Road 2170.

• West along Forest Service Road 2170 to the junction of Forest Service Roads 2170 and 2490

• South along Forest Service Road 2490 to the junction of Forest Service Roads 2490 and 24.

• Continues west on Forest Service Road 24 to the Forest Service Boundary in T16S, R27E, Sec. 10. Follows the National Forest Boundary north to the beginning in T14S, R27E, Sec. 4.

• Travel is prohibited on all Forest Service Roads within the designated boundary of the Rail Ridge Fire Closure and Forest Service Roads starting at the junction of T15S, 28E, Sec. 12 and Forest Service Road 2170, west along Forest Service Road 2170 to the junction of Forest Service Roads 2170 and 2490, south along Forest Service Road 2490 to the junction of Forest Service Roads 2490 and 24, west on Forest Service Road 24 to the Forest Service Boundary in T16S, R27E, Sec. 10, and Forest Service Road 2150 from T14S, R27E, Sec. 11 east to T14S, R28E, Sec. 17.

The reduction of the area closure now opens Forest Service Road 21 (Fields Creek Road).