Post-fire Restoration Begins

Now that the firefight on the Little Horsethief Canyon Fire is wrapping up, the focus is turning to rehabilitation of the area.  Forest Spokesperson Mary Cernicek says everytime there is a wildfire on the forest, particularly in areas where there are steep slopes, a specialized team issent out to assess the what needs to be done to stabilize the area and restore it.  She says most of the restoration work is done by forest professionals, but not all of it.  She says one area in particular where volunteers can help is in the restoration of trails through the area.  At the same time, Cernicek says those using the reopened trails need to be careful if they are traveling through an area that has been impacted by the fire; watching for such things as trees that can fall with no warning, hot spots that are still burning and rocks that have been loosened by the heat. An order was signed Friday reopening several additional trails in the area including  the Putt-putt, Ferrin’s and Hagan trails, Josie’s Ridge, Snow King Summit and Summit Ridge trails.  Trails that remain closed at this time include Game Creek, Leeks Canyon, Wilson Canyon and Horsethief Canyon.