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Last updated on Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Hoosier National Forest welcomes visitors to use and enjoy their public lands during this Memorial Day Weekend, but urge caution in light of recent storms.
At this time, with the exception of the beach at Hardin Ridge, all recreation facilities and trails are open.
However, with storms happening so close to the holiday weekend, crews will not have an opportunity to fully clear all 265 miles of trail or fully inspect all sites. Anne Carey, District Ranger asks visitors to exercise extra caution. "There are going to be trees down across some trails and people need to watch for limbs or broken tree tops that might be dangling overhead. Do not camp, picnic or rest under a damaged tree."
This spring, Forest employees have spent weeks diligently removing trees that have fallen over trails, roads, and campgrounds, but as soon as an area is cleared another storm comes through and more trees come down. "Our crews have had to revisit the same areas repeatedly clearing trees," noted Carey. "We want to keep the trails safe, so please let us know as you find trees down or unsafe conditions."
She suggests that if the public calls or emails the Hoosier to reported downed trees, the more specific the location provided the better. It is helpful to have a GPS point or an approximate distance and direction from a trail crossing so they can get to the trouble points quickly. Downed or hazard trees may be reported on-line at r9_hoosier_website@fs.fed.us or by phone at 812-275-5987 (Bedford office) or 812-547-7051 (Tell City office).
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