Umpqua National Forest

Road Damage from Heavy Rains Anticipated on Umpqua National Forest

Contact: Cheryl Caplan, (541) 957-3270

ROSEBURG, OR – December 29, 2008 – Heavy rain over the weekend may impact roads on the Umpqua National Forest through plugged culverts and downed trees. Drivers on Forest roads should be aware of flooding, debris, snow and ice, wind, and especially falling trees and limbs. Forest Service employees are currently assessing potential damage to roads.

"Our advice to anyone planning to visit or travel through the Umpqua National Forest over the next few days is to check in with one of our offices before heading out," said Acting Forest Supervisor Joe Linn. "Call a Forest Service office near your planned destination to check on conditions before you leave home."

Linn cautioned that trees across the road are common after heavy rains. "It's important that people pay extra attention to the road in front of them, especially on the stretch of Highway 138 where the Rattle Fire burned last summer," he said. "Weakened root systems can unexpectedly cause a tree to fall down, often across the road, and can catch people unprepared."

Forest Service offices with local Forest information include the North Umpqua Ranger District Office in Glide (541-496-3532); the Tiller Ranger District Office (541-825-3100); the Cottage Grove Ranger District Office (541-767-5000), Toketee Ranger Station near Diamond Lake (541-498-2531), and the Supervisor’s Office in Roseburg (541-672-6601).

The Oregon Department of Transportation posts current road condition information for Southwestern Oregon at www.tripcheck.com.

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USDA Forest Service - Umpqua National Forest
Last Modified: Monday, 05 January 2009 at 17:35:38 EST