Date: August 6, 2016
Contact: Jennifer Evans, 541-594-3002
Crater Lake National Park will lift the Level 1 Evacuation Notice for Rim Village and Park Headquarters on Sunday, August 7, at 8 a.m. The entire length of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) within Crater Lake National Park, including the alternate route along the Rim Trail, will also reopen at this time. The Lightning Springs Trail and camp will remain closed until further notice.
West Rim Drive will reopen on Monday, August 8, at 8 a.m., from the intersection of Munson Valley Road and West Rim Drive (near Rim Village) to North Junction. The road will remain closed through the weekend to protect fire personnel and equipment as firefighters continue to work on the fire.
The evacuation notice and closures were issued because of hazardous conditions related to the Bybee Creek Fire. After successful firing operations on the north flank of the fire on Thursday, the Bybee Creek Fire was 45 percent contained and 1,116 acres as of Saturday morning.
Visitors are advised that fire operations continue in the area, and they may encounter firefighters and see or hear aircraft. Smoke may also be visible from the road or trails as unburned pockets of vegetation continue to smolder.
The Bybee Creek Fire was likely a human caused fire. The park implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions on July 31, 2016, because of high risk of fire danger. Backcountry campfires are prohibited at this time. For more information visit: http://bit.ly/2b8gNfz.
All facilities within Crater Lake National Park are open. Smoke in the park has been intermittent depending on weather conditions. Viewing conditions can vary throughout the day and range from hazy to clear. Please visit Crater Lake's website, www.nps.gov/crla, or Facebook for updated information or to view real time conditions from the park's webcams.
