Restrictions, fire ban in Ashley National Forest

VERNAL — Public access is being restricted to portions of the Ashley National Forest effective at midnight tonight.

All fires are also being banned from the area until further notice.

The U.S. Forest Service said it is implementing a special fire closure because of the Neola North fire, which has burned more than 32,000-acres of land and killed three people. The area included in the closure begins at the Ashley National Forest boundary, north to the High Uintahs wilderness boundary, northeast along the Uintah/Daggett County line, then east to Hacking Lake Road. The restrictions go southeast to Red Cloud Loop Road, then south to the forest boundary.

There is still access to Flaming Gorge, forest service officials said today.

Public travel is being prohibited because of the wildfire. Fourth of July campers will be allowed on the west side of Yellowstone Canyon Road and on the east side of the Taylor Mountain road.

The Forest Service said campfires, stove fires are prohibited within the Ashley National Forest until further notice.