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Forest Service News Release for Winter Safety on Mt. Hood

Friday, December 20, 2024
by Liz Warren

Mt. Hood National Forest

www.fs.usda.gov/mthood

 

Forest Service News Release

 

Enjoy the Winter – Safely! – on Mt. Hood National Forest

 

 

As we approach the solstice, more and more people are searching for winter adventures on Mt. Hood National Forest. National forests are ideal for sledding, skiing, snowmobiling, and more, but there are necessary precautions to take before heading out. The best way to enjoy your public lands safely is to plan ahead, especially in the winter.

 

Always check the weather forecast and visit TripCheck.com for highway conditions in Oregon before leaving home. Driving in the winter at high elevations can mean snowy and icy roads, limited visibility, snowplows, and heavy ski traffic. Prepare your vehicle – carry tire chains and a winter weather kit, which should include extra food, water, layers, and blankets. Consider carpooling or using public transit, such as the Mt. Hood Express or Gorge-To-Mountain Express buses.

 

Most of the Forest has no cell service. Online mapping services are not always reliable, and Mt. Hood National Forest roads aren’t plowed. Many Forest roads are closed seasonally due to snow, winter range wildlife habitat, or resource protection. Motor Vehicle Use Maps are free and show all Mt. Hood National Forest roads, as well as seasonal closures. Pick up a paper copy at one of our offices or download a georeferenced PDF for your smartphone: https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mthood/mvum

 

Sno-Parks are popular for winter recreation and can fill up quickly on weekends. If a parking lot is full, it’s important to have a backup plan. Do not park along the highway, in no-parking zones, or block other vehicles. Emergency vehicles need unobstructed access to operate safely. Vehicles blocking traffic or parked illegally are subject to ticketing and towing. For more information on snow levels, check the weekly Mt. Hood Sno-Park conditions report or follow us on Facebook.

 

Nearly all Sno-Parks on Mt. Hood require vehicles to display a Sno-Park permit. The Oregon Sno-Park permit program is managed by ODOT (Oregon Department of Transportation) and money earned from permits sales directly funds plowing and maintenance of Sno-Parks. Learn more: https://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/Sno-Parks-Permits

 

Have a fun and safe winter on the mountain!



 

Winter Driving Essentials: cell phone charger; flashlight & flares; full tank of gas; extra water and food; extra clothes, boots, gloves, hat; blankets or sleeping bag; ice scraper/snow brush and shovel; snow tires or chains and jumper cables; first aid kit. Layering basics: 1) Base layer, 2) middle layer, 3) outer layer, 4) protect your extremities, 5) suitable footwear, 6) accessorize.

 

 

 

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Flood Information on Mt. Hood

Wednesday, December 4, 2024
by Liz Warren

Flood information on Mt. Hood's history

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Investors Are Not Buying Up All The Homes

Friday, November 29, 2024
by Liz Warren

         

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How to Get Your Mt. Hood Home Ready to Sell in 2025

Friday, November 22, 2024
by Liz Warren

         

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Slash Burning in the Mt. Hood National Forest

Thursday, October 31, 2024
by Liz Warren

Mt. Hood National Forest

Forest Service News Release

 

Pile burning begins on Mt. Hood National Forest

 

The arrival of cooler weather has allowed firefighters to begin burning piles of slash on Mt. Hood National Forest. Pile burning operations will continue over the next several weeks as conditions allow. 

 

Woody debris, also known as slash, is created from post-fire restoration, fuels management, and vegetation projects. The slash is placed in piles and left to cure for about a year before burning during the wet season to reduce the fire footprint. Allowing time for the vegetative material to dry out means piles burn more efficiently and produce less smoke. Removing these large accumulations of hazardous fuels during the fall and winter months is part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk.

 

All prescribed burns are carefully and methodically thought out. Fire personnel consider many factors before burning, including temperature, moisture levels, wind speed and direction, and relative humidity. Before implementing a burn, weather is assessed, a test fire is lit, and its behavior is monitored to determine whether conditions are safe to continue and will meet burn objectives.

 

Firefighters plan to ignite slash piles along the following roads, focusing first on higher elevations:

 

East Zone

  • Forest Roads 16/1610/1630/1640
  • Forest Roads 17/1720/1721/1722
  • Forest Roads 27/2710
  • Forest Roads 44/4430/4431
  • Forest Roads 48/4810/4811/4820/4885 

 

West Zone

  • Forest Road 4220
  • Forest Roads 45/4545
  • Forest Roads 46/4630/4640/4660/4661
  • Forest Road 57
  • Forest Roads 58/5810
  • Forest Roads 63/6330/6340
  • Forest Roads 70/7010

 

Smoke may be visible in the vicinity during ignition operations and for a short time afterward. Fire personnel follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan. These guidelines help minimize smoke impacts to visibility and public health.

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

 

Pile burning on Mt. Hood National Forest, 2019.
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
 
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Mt. Hood National Forest | 16400 Champion Way | Sandy, OR 97055 US
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New Fires Around Mt. Hood

Tuesday, August 6, 2024
by Liz Warren

 

Thunderstorms spark new fires around Mt. Hood region

 

Mt. Hood National Forest firefighters responded to several new lightning starts on Monday, August 5 after a storm system passed through the area in the early morning hours.

 

Sandstone Fire is located on the Clackamas River Ranger District on the south side of Thunder Mountain, several miles north of Forest Road 70. It's currently burning in the 2006 Blister Fire burn scar and is estimated at approximately 350 acres. More accurate mapping will be provided once an infrared flight is available.

 

The fire is located in a challenging area with multiple hazard snags around the perimeter. Personnel are working to get ground resources closer to the fire. Scooper planes are using Timothy and Detroit Lakes to retrieve water and help slow the fire's growth.

 

Barlow Ridge Fire, located along Barlow Ridge south of OR Route 35 and east of U.S. Highway 26, was fully lined around the perimeter yesterday at roughly 0.25 acre. A helicopter from nearby Whisky Creek Fire dropped water on the fire, keeping the footprint small with the help of local engines and firefighters. Fire personnel will continue to patrol and mop up, which includes extinguishing and removing burning material, over the next several days.

 

Hunchback Fire is estimated at 0.1 acre. Containment lines held overnight and firefighters completed line construction today. Mop-up operations have begun. Smokejumpers are assisting and personnel will remain on scene and patrol for several days.

 

Fish Creek Divide Fire is estimated at 0.25 acre. Resources are on scene.

 

There are no closures at this time. We ask people to avoid the fire areas to allow firefighters to work safely.

 

Any evacuation notices for Sandstone Fire will be shared by the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office. Please be sure to follow them for updates and sign up for emergency alerts: www.clackamas.us/dm/publicalerts

 

Public use fire restrictions are in effect and open campfires are prohibited in Mt. Hood National Forest. For more information on fire restrictions, visit our website: www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire

Photo: Smoke from the Sandstone Fire, viewed from Estacada on Aug. 5. (Photo courtesy of Cara Lewis)
 
 
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
 
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Fire Restrictions in the Mt. Hood National Forest

Wednesday, July 10, 2024
by Liz Warren

Mt. Hood National Forest

Forest Service News Release

 

Fire Restrictions on Mt. Hood National Forest

 

 

Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest beginning Friday, July 12, 2024.

 

All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order, including in developed campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off. 

 

The recent hot weather has caused Fire Danger Indices to rise, and with no rain or cool-down in the forecast, fire personnel anticipate the potential for fires to continue to remain high through the summer. With the current dry and warm long-range forecast, wildfire starts pose a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property. 

 

“Most wildfires are human-caused. With our hot, dry summer conditions any fire can become a big problem fast, putting lives and property at risk,” said Dirk Shupe, Fire Management Staff Officer for the Mt. Hood National Forest. “We’re thankful for the vast majority of folks who take fire safety seriously and help us protect our public lands.”

 

More wildfire information and the full text of the Forest Order.

 

For more information about the local and regional fire outlook visit: https://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/predict/outlook.aspx

 

Neighboring national forests are also beginning to enact public use restrictions for the wildfire season. Find more about restrictions and fire safety on adjacent national forests:

 

And remember, fireworks and other explosive devices are always prohibited on national forests.

 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

 
 
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
 
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Wealth Building Through Home Ownerhsip

Friday, June 7, 2024
by Liz Warren

The Wealth-Building Power of Homeownership



 

No Caption Received

Some Highlights

  • If you’re trying to decide if buying a home is worth it, consider the long-term benefits, like building equity as home values grow over time.
  • According to the FHFA, home values have increased by 315.7% since 1991.
  • Home equity is one reason owning your own place can really pay off in the long run. When you're ready, let's connect.
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Firewood in the Mt. Hood National Forest News Release

Tuesday, April 23, 2024
by Liz Warren
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
 
Forest Service News Release
 
Firewood Season Opens on Mt. Hood National Forest
 
April brings more than rain showers! Just as seasonal road closures begin to lift, firewood season has opened on the Mt. Hood National Forest. Personal use firewood permits are available free of charge and commercial permits may be purchased at one of the Forest’s four district offices.
 
All woodcutters must obtain a firewood permit at a district office or by submitting a firewood permit application. Each household may harvest up to six cords annually with a free firewood permit for personal use only. Permits are valid through November 30.
 
Woodcutters that intend to harvest firewood for resale must purchase a commercial firewood permit, which is available upon request pending availability.
 
All woodcutters must carry their permit, firewood load tags, firewood map, and a current information sheet while harvesting. Woodcutters may only collect and cut downed wood. Felling standing trees, dead or alive, is illegal. Firewood cutting areas are described on the required firewood maps and information sheets, which are updated regularly and reflect the current Industrial Fire Precaution Level of each area. More firewood information is available at: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mthood/firewood
 
Although some roads are reopening for the season, conditions across the Forest vary. Roads and trails may be muddy, wet, or even covered in deep snow for another month or two, especially at higher elevations. The Forest Service does not plow roads and can’t tow vehicles that get stuck, so it’s recommended that visitors come prepared with a winter driving kit and the Ten Essentials. Access to some areas may be limited due to wildfire closures. Driving in a fire closure area is prohibited.
 
Contact one of our district offices for information on current conditions: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mthood/about-forest/offices
 
Some community members that rely on firewood to heat their home may struggle to harvest firewood due to age or physical disabilities. Read more about our Firewood Assistance Program: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/mthood/firewoodassistance
 
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
 
Pile of firewood from Camp Creek Fire suppression work in 2023.
 
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
 
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Timberline Lodge Catches Fire: News Release

Friday, April 19, 2024
by Liz Warren
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
 
Forest Service News Release
 
Quick response by local fire departments minimizes damage to iconic Timberline Lodge 
 
Sandy, Ore. (April 19, 2024) – Last night, fire departments from the Mt. Hood area and beyond responded to a three-alarm fire at historic Timberline Lodge. The fire departments, in coordination with Timberline Lodge employees, were quick to suppress the fire and ensure public and hotel guest safety. Although damage assessments have not yet begun, these efforts minimized the fire’s spread and prevented what could have been greater damages and losses.  
 
The Forest Service is participating in the fire investigations with other federal law enforcement. Timberline Lodge and ski area, as well as the upper portion of Timberline Access Road are currently closed.  
 
Responding agencies included Hoodland Fire District, Clackamas Fire Department, Estacada Fire District, Gresham Fire Department, Portland Fire and Rescue, and Oregon State Fire Marshal.  
 
“We extend the deepest gratitude to all of the fire departments that responded so quickly to extinguish the fire at Timberline Lodge”, said Meta Loftsgaarden, Forest Supervisor for the Mt. Hood National Forest. “We know Timberline Lodge holds a special place in the fabric of Oregon’s and the nation’s history and culture. Structural assessments of the damages caused to the lodge as well as the cherished works inside of it will begin as soon as they safely can.”   
 
Declared a National Historic Landmark in 1977, Timberline Lodge is one of Oregon’s most popular tourist attractions, drawing nearly two million visitors every year. Timberline Lodge operates under a special use permit issued by the Mt. Hood National Forest. Built during the Great Depression using craftspeople, artists, and workers employed through the Works Progress Administration and other New Deal programs, it continues to serve as an iconic ski lodge and mountain retreat.  
 
Additional updates will be provided as they become available. Reopening information and hours of operations for Timberline Lodge and the ski area are at:
 
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USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.
 
Firefighters responding to Timberline Lodge fire overnight, April 18, 2024
 
Photo showing damage to the attic of Timberline’s Lodge caused by last night’s fire.
 
 
Mt. Hood National Forest
 
 
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Displaying blog entries 11-20 of 372

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