Campgrounds, Mountain Fire Tower open, trails to reopen Aug. 29

MOUNTAIN — The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest has been working to clean up areas damaged by the July 19 windstorm and reopen them to visitors.

Last week, crews worked to reopen popular areas such as the Bagley Rapids Campground and the Mountain Fire Tower. In addition, several dispersed camping areas such as Nelligan Lake, Mountain Lakes and Bear Paw are also open. For a list of what is open and closed, visit the website at http://go.usa.gov/xyA8D.

“Our employees have been working hard to clear areas of the damage so that visitors can once again enjoy their favorite places on the National Forest,” said Greyling Brandt, recreation program manager for the Lakewood-Laona Ranger District of the National Forest. “We appreciate everyone’s patience and understanding as we work to reopen sites.”

In addition to the impacts to recreation areas, there is a significant amount of downed timber on the National Forest in Langlade and Oconto counties. Forest workers have been sizing up the impacts to existing timber sales, timber stands that were being prepped for a sale, areas being considered for management and other places that were damaged.

“We have already modified some existing timber sales to account for the downed timber from the storm,” said Karl Welch, timber program manager for the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest. “Contractors are actively working to harvest the remaining standing timber as well as what was damaged during the storm as prescribed in the modification for some of our timber sales.”

Meanwhile, the Oconto County Forestry & Parks office announced Friday that all ATV trails funded by Oconto County will be reopened Aug. 29. Some segments of the trail are connected by town and U.S. Forest Service Roads, so riders are reminded to check the list of open and closed facilities.

For information, visit the Oconto County website at www.co.oconto.wi.us.