(St. George, UT) - The Forest Service has temporarily closed the upper end of Forest Road # 032 and the Oak Grove Campground for protection of public safety as concerns increase over the high fire danger and red flag warnings in the area. The Forest closure order will continue until the fire danger subsides.



Bevan Killpack, Pine Valley District Ranger said, "The Oak Grove Campground is at the top of the drainage with only one road in and out of this area. Even with the statewide fire restrictions in effect, firefighters have extinguished several abandoned campfires in the area below the Oak Grove Campground. The closure is a proactive approach to safeguard the public during these extremely dry conditions."



Current and forecasted weather conditions coupled with extremely dry conditions and heavy loading of vegetation throughout the State of Utah have created hazardous fire conditions. As a result, all state and federal lands, and all unincorporated private lands, are under fire restrictions with a prohibition of the following acts:



1. Setting, building, maintaining, attending or using open fires of any kind, except

campfires built within the facilities provided for them in improved campgrounds, picnic

areas or permanently improved places of habitation.



2. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation

site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared to

mineral soil.



3. Discharging, or using any kind of fireworks, tracer ammunition or other

pyrotechnic devices.



The Pine Valley Ranger District appreciates the public’s understanding and willingness to comply with these restrictions for protection of the Forest’s resources and for public safety.

For more information on the campground closure and fire restrictions, go to www.utahfireinfo.gov or www.fs.fed.us/r4/Dixie, or call the Pine Valley Ranger District at (435) 652-3100.