08/21/2026
The Fishlake National Forest will lift the Closure Order tomorrow, Saturday, August 22, 2026, at 6:00 A.M. This joint decision officially reopens the majority of the Beaver Ranger District for public recreation and fall hunting seasons.
To the residents, emergency responders, county officials, and Forest Service employees who live and work here, this mountain and forest are home. We share our community's heartache over the destruction left by the fire since it first ignited on June 22. While adjusting to the altered landscape and burn scar will be difficult for all of us, our agencies are moving forward together with hope for the land's recovery. We are incredibly grateful to welcome you back to the many beautiful, green areas that still remain.
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Road Closures & Motorized Vehicle Restrictions:
As our communities reconnect with the forest, public safety remains our shared priority. To protect visitors and heavy equipment crews, a few sections require ongoing repair work and remain temporarily closed to motorized vehicles:
โข Big Johnโs Flat / Forest Road 123: Closed to motorized vehicles from the lower gate off SR-153 up to the gate at the first bathroom at Big John's Flat.
โข The Face Trail: Closed to motorized vehicles through the end of Jimmy Reed, ending at Merchant Valley.
โข Cottonwood Canyon and Gold Gulch: Remain closed due to road damage
โข Forest Road 129 (PST 29) is currently unpassable from Timid to Lake Stream and Puffer to Lake Stream due to road washouts.
Note: The public is welcome to travel past the gates in these specific areas on foot or horseback.
Additional Closures (No Access Permitted):
โข State Route 153 (Beaver Canyon Corridor) remains fully closed to general public traffic between Milepost 3 and Milepost 14.5. Conditions in Beaver Canyon remain hazardous, with multiple risks to the public including unstable roadway, ongoing runoff, and damaged infrastructure. Construction and heavy equipment will be operating within the project area and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and its construction partners are working to evaluate the damage, stabilize critical areas, restore limited access where possible, and develop permanent repairs. The timing and extent of the repairs will depend on site conditions, continued damage, design requirements, and other factors. Track ongoing project repairs or find contact info via the UDOT SR-153 Project Portal https://udotinput.utah.gov/v42122
*Official remaining road closure maps will be posted in a separate post this evening.
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Camping & Recreation:
Because several primary routes remain closed for repairs, overall forest traffic will be funneled onto a smaller number of open roads. Expect to share the mountain with more people than usual. Mountain roads are narrow with blind curves, please slow down, use extreme caution, and safely share the roadways with working crews, pedestrians, and fellow visitors.
โข Developed Campgrounds: All campgrounds are now closed for the season, with the exception of LeBaron Campground, which remains open to the public.
โข Dispersed Camping: Popular dispersed camping areas remain open and accessible along Kents Lake, Big Johns, and Big Flat.
โข City Creek Campground & Road: Permanently closed. This area was damaged by the Cottonwood fire and is now formally closed. For your safety, do not attempt to enter. 10 Mile Area: Remains open and fully accessible.
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Visiting a recently burned forest requires extra vigilance. Fire-weakened trees can fall entirely without warningโeven on calm, windless days.
1. Look Up Before Camping: Never set up camp, pitch a tent, or park a vehicle near burned, unstable timber. Stick exclusively to clear, wide-open spaces.
2. Monitor the Weather: Soil in a burn scar cannot absorb water. Heavy rain can instantly trigger rapid post-fire hazards, including dangerous flash floods, rolling rocks, mudslides, washed-out roads, and blocked creeks.
3. Pack a Saw: Because incoming storms can easily topple dead trees across roadways, we highly recommend carrying a chainsaw or handsaw in your vehicle to clear unexpected debris. Because the Fishlake National Forest is in Stage II Fire Restrictions, please make sure your chainsaw has an approved and working spark arrestor. https://www.fs.usda.gov/r04/fishlake/alerts/stage-2-fire-restrictions
4. Prepare to Spend the Night: Always travel with extra food, water, and warm clothing. If sudden rains wash out a road or trigger a debris flow, you may become temporarily stranded until crews can safely clear a route.
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Woodcutting Permits Coming Soon
The ongoing clearing efforts will directly benefit local residents by opening up new woodcutting opportunities across the district. Both free-use firewood permits and commercial wood permits are being finalized and will be available soon. Please keep an eye out for a separate announcement in the coming days containing exact permit details, locations, and instructions.
We sincerely appreciate your continued patience, caution, and cooperation as we work to safely welcome you back to these special places in the Beaver Ranger District ๐ฒ
Beaver Utah
Piute County
Utah DOT
Utah Fire Info
Utah Department of Public Safety
