Ellis declares flood emergency on forest

Forest Supervisor Steve Ellis has declared a flood emergency on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

Ellis said many roads, bridges, trails and recreation sites on the 2.4-million-acre forest have sustained flood damage during the past several days.

“The public needs to be patient as the repairs will take time,” he said.

The emergency declaration sets the stage for the Wallowa-Whitman to seek federal money for repairs that are likely to run into the millions of dollars.

Wallowa-Whitman officials are still assessing the damage, and clearing rocks and other debris from roads.

One of those, the Anthony Lakes Highway, was re-opened to traffic on Monday.

The Loop Road — Forest Road 39 — is closed between its southern junction at Highway 86 east of Halfway, and its intersection with the Fish Lake Road.

Along that approximately 15-mile section, North Pine Creek obliterated a 500-foot section of the highway.

In five other places the creek washed away at least half the road width.

There is no detour available because the alternate route, via Fish Lake Road, also sustained significant damage from high water.

In a letter to Mary Wagner, the Forest Service’s regional forester in Portland, Ellis asked that she dispatch engineers to help gauge damage on the Wallowa-Whitman.

Wagner has done that, said Judy Wing, public affairs officer for the Wallowa-Whitman.

Ellis advises forest visitors to watch for washouts and other hazards on roads and trails.

He also asks people to heed road closures and to not move signs or barricades.

In addition to road closures, a section of the Wallowa-Whitman bordered on the east by Road 39 and on the west by Road 77, the Main Eagle Creek Road, is closed to the public.

Sections of Road 77 washed out last week, as did the road along East Eagle Creek, which leads to several private cabins and to Forest Service trailheads.