PINEDALE, Wyo. — Bridger-Teton National Forest (BTNF) has announced the temporary closure of portions of the Fremont Lake Campground beginning Monday, Sept. 11, to remove trees infested by the Douglas-fir beetle.
The Douglas-fir beetle is the most destructive bark beetle for mature Douglas-fir forests, BTNF said in a press release. The removal of affected trees is expected to help mitigate future insect attacks in the rest of the forest.
Tree removal will be executed in two phases. First, campsites 1-35 and their corresponding roadways will be closed. During this phase, the Boat Ramp and campsites 36-50 will remain open. The second phase will close sites 13-28 and their roadways. The Boat Ramp and sites 1-12 and 29-50 will remain open during the second phase.
Removed trees will be available for firewood collectors beginning Monday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. to those who have valid firewood permits. Trees will be limbed and stacked in decks up to four feet high, located on sites 9-13 and 29-35 for the first phase and sites 13-28 in the second phase, according to BTNF. Firewood will be available from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily until all of the hazardous trees have been removed.
Firewood permits are available at the Pinedale or Big Piney Ranger District Offices on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Contact the Pinedale Ranger District at 307-367-4326, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/btnf.
