Crews from Grayback Forest, Inc. will start fuel reduction efforts this week in Jacksonville Forest Park. Noise, vehicles, and associated activities may impact Forest Park trails, especially the east/northeast hillsides. Work will continue intermittently as long as conditions are conducive to thinning operations.
12.06.23 Update - Current trails that are able to open are Rail, Siskiyou, Pipsissewa, and Eastern Halls of Manzanita Trails. The Siskiyou View Loop and Upper Rattlesnake Gulch Trails, along with Knobcone Pine Trail, will remain closed at this time because of active cutting in those areas. Please be aware that trails have soft edges and there may be some debris and damaged areas from the ongoing fuels reduction work.
11.17.23 Update - The Rail Trail from P1 to the Narrows Bridge is now open. All of Norling Trail is also open. Ponderosa Snag, Siskiyou, Pipsissewa, Knobcone Pine, and the east side of Halls of Manzanita Trails are all still closed. Crews are cutting in the area, and trails are blocked with brush and limbs.
11.13.23 Update - Trail along the east side of Reservoir Rd and South of P4 are closed. This includes the Rail Trail, Siskiyou Trail, Ponderosa Snag Trail, and some Norling Trail east of Jackson Creek. Crews are currently running chainsaws and hand-piling brush.
11.09.23 Update - The following trails will be closed: Halls of Manzanita Tr east of Reservoir Rd, Pipsissewa Tr, and Siskiyou Tr. Also, Grayback crews will begin cutting and piling in the lower eastern area of the park, so the following trails will also be closed: Rail Trail from P1 to Siskiyou Spur and Ponderosa Snag Tr. All bikers must detour from Rail Tr at Rattlesnake Gulch and proceed down Reservoir Rd. There will be no biking on Norling Tr. We’ll get access re-opened as fast as work allows.
We ask that all park visitors respect these closures. It is essential the signage and flagging are not removed. The closures are temporary and will allow Grayback Forestry to complete their work safely and on time.
This project is another significant step in efforts to help protect Jacksonville from wildfire. A grant award from the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal Fire Marshall is funding it.