Storm Closures in The Bagley Fire Area
Incident: Bagley Wildfire
Released: 11/29/2012
NEWS RELEASE
U.S. Forest Service ● Shasta-Trinity National Forest
Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area
14225 Holiday Road, Redding, CA 96003 ● Voice (530) 275-1587 ● Web: www.fs.usda.gov/stnf
Contact: Andrea Capps, (530) 242-5546
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/29/2012
REDDING, Calif., Nov. 29, 2012 - Recent storms left behind hazardous conditions in the Bagley Fire area and current storms are expected to intensify impacts to this area. Effective November 29, 2012, portions of the Bagley Fire Area are being closed to the public. The Bagley Fire Area closures are located west of Big Bend, CA and south of the McCloud Reservoir on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest. Due to recent and expected storm activity, including heavy rain and strong winds, road conditions in the area of the Bagley Fire have and will continue to deteriorate. There is a high potential for flooding of campgrounds and National Forest System roads. Additionally, potential for heavy debris flow and falling trees within this area is high, which will add to flooding effects and hazardous conditions.
U.S. Forest Service officials are closing:
· Forest Service Road 34N17 (also known as Road 27 or Fender's Ferry Road) from the McCloud Bridge to the Pit River Bridge
· Forest Service Road 38N11 from the McCloud Dam, to Kosk Creek
· National Forest System lands located in the interior of the boundary created by these roads, including National Forest campgrounds Madrone and Chirpchatter
Additionally, hikers on the section of the Pacific Crest Trail located along the northern boundary of this closure should be aware of potential hazards along the trail. Watch for downed limbs, rising water (especially when travelling near creeks), erosion along the trail, falling rock or debris, and other potential hazards.
As reported by the national weather service (http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php zoneid=CAZ013), the storms over the next few days have the potential to produce effects equal to a significant storm event. Multiple roads within the Bagley Fire area already have significant damage from the previous storm, which produced approximately 5 inches of rain in 24 hours.
If the expected rain from this current storm materializes, the storm impacts will be amplified in the Squaw Creek area due to last summer's fire activity. Downed limbs and trees, rolling rocks, flooding, and the potential for land and mudslides in the area are expected. Furthermore, debris into the Squaw Creek arm of Shasta Lake will be extensive.
Plans are being implemented now to help mitigate the effects of this storm. This includes the construction and placement of a large log boom that will be placed across the Squaw Creek arm of Shasta Lake in the vicinity of the Monday Flat area. This boom will temporarily restrict boat access beyond that point. The boom is designed to catch the floating debris before it flows into Shasta Lake, and will later be relocated to a place is can be disposed of. Boaters are urged to use caution when traveling the Squaw Creek arm and be aware of floating debris, such as trees and limbs.
For any additional questions, please contact the Shasta Lake Ranger Station at 530-275-1587 on weekdays between the hours of 8AM to 4:30PM. You can also see the NOAA flood warning for Shasta County at http://www.intellicast.com/Storm/Severe/Bulletins.aspx location=USCA0922.
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