Ashley wildfire area reopened to public

VERNAL — The parts of Ashley National Forest that were closed on June 29 due to the Neola North wildfire will reopen at noon today, officials announced Wednesday.

With the reduction in fire activity over the past week, the ability of the Neola North fire to continue growing has been diminished to the point that the area closure is no longer required, officials said in a statement.

Officials urged anyone entering the burned areas to take special caution with burned snags that could fall and to understand that areas inside containment lines will continue to smoke.

Elk Horn Loop, Pole Creek Campground, Chepeta Lake, Whiterocks Canyon, the West Fork Trailhead and all areas south of the Highline Trail, east of the Uintah Canyon Road (Forest Service Road 118) and west of the Paradise Park Reservoir Road (Forest Service Road 104) will be accessible, but campfire restrictions are still in effect throughout the area.