Eldorado National Forest

Welcome

2009 Woodcutting Season Ends December 31, 2009

Woodcutting permits for 2010 will be available on April 1st. Note: The dirt roads and trails may not be dry enough for the seasonal road closure to be lifted on April 1st. Last spring the closure was lifted on April 16.

Road Information

• Eldorado National Forest Seasonal Road and Trail closure: The seasonal road closure will take effect on January 1st, 2010 and will extend until at least March 31. Note: Depending on soils and weather conditions, the seasonal closure could be extended to protect the roads and resources. Please check before visiting the forest. News Release
• Silver Bear Snowmobile Trail system: These roads and trails are closed to motorized wheeled vehicles in the winter. Forest Order #03-09-05
• Highway Closures: For California highway closures and chain control information, call the CAL-TRANS toll free phone number at 1-800-427-7623 or check their website at http://www.dot.ca.gov/cgi-bin/roads.cgi .
• Mormon Emigrant Trail from Highway 50 through to Highway 88 is closed. It is a Forest Road, not a CA State highway, so will not be listed on the Cal Trans road-condition phone number or website. Please Note: Wheeled motor vehicle use such as cars, trucks, 4-wheel drives and all-terrain vehicles, is prohibited on the 5-mile section of MET from the Silver Fork Road junction to the Iron Mountain Sno-Park near Highway 88. During the winter season this section of the road is snow-covered and used by snowmobiles.

Fall Prescribe Burning in the Eldorado National Forest Has Started

• Fuels Project page for project information and locations
• News Release (pdf) Van Vleck Project October 7, 2009

Prescribed burning has started for the Fall and Winter season. Prescribed burning begins after the rains have thoroughly dampened the forest floor and will continue throughout the winter and spring months. The timing of the actual ignition of a prescribed burn project depends on weather conditions, moisture in the fuels we intend to burn, our ability to control the fires, and permission from the local air pollution control district.

Freds Fire Reforestation Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Is Available.

The Forest Service, Eldorado National Forest, Placerville and Pacific Ranger Districts, have prepared a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Freds Fire Reforestation Project which proposes to plant trees, control shrubs and other competing vegetation to ensure conifer survival and growth, control or eliminate invasive plants, and reduce short term fuels loading in the area burned in the Freds Fire on near the town of Kyburz, California.

• Freds Reforestation Project Web Page
• News Release - pdf

The ENFIA Forest Store Is Online!

The Eldorado National Forest Interpretive Association has opened a new outlet online. Check it out for books, clothing, maps, Smokey Bear merchandise, and toys. Keep checking back because they will be adding additional merchandise over time.

• The ENFIA Forest) Store

Motor Vehicle Travel News

• Having completed our Travel Management project, information and future activities regarding motor vehicle travel can be found on the new Vehicle Travel page under Recreation.
• The new Motor Vehicle Use Maps with the updated legal system roads are now available by web on the Vehicle Travel page or hardcopies can be obtained at our Districts' and Supervisor's Offices. There are four different maps; one for each district.

Link For Current Incidents

Normally incidents, like wildfires, that are under Forest Service jurisdiction are usually posted on Inciweb (www.inciweb.org). This site houses web pages for Forest Service incidents from all over the nation. Note: small fires may not be placed in Inciweb.