Twin Tunnels trail closed 'for awhile'

By ADAM LAPIERRE
News staff writer
September 5, 2009

Due to hazardous conditions caused by the Microwave Fire, the Twin Tunnels section of the Historic Columbia River Highway will be closed until further notice.

Although officials say that the 1,225-acre fire that burned from the east hills of Hood River to Mosier last week caused little damage to the trail itself, areas where the fire burned above the trail now have hazardous trees and rocks that must be dealt with before the trail can safely be reopened.

“The trail will probably be closed for a little while,” said Stan Hinatsu, U.S. Forest Service spokesman. “The fire loosened a lot of rocks and debris where it burned above the trail, and that will have to be addressed before it can be reopened.

It will be State Parks’ call as to when it reopens, but my guess is that it will be a while.” According to Hinatsu, before fully demobilizing from the fire Oregon Department of Forestry and USFS crews will work to fall hazard trees that could be within striking distance of the trail.

Loose soil and rocks, however, will be harder to address.

“The biggest issue we will be dealing with is increased rockfall where the fire burned above the trail,” said Kevin Price, Oregon State Parks district manager. “We realize folks would like the trail to be reopened quickly, but we have to put public safety first … Rocks fall there anyway; now take that and multiply it by 10 where the fire burned above the trail.”

Price said an Oregon Department of Transportation “geo-tech” surveyed the site on Friday to help State Parks get a better idea of how best to handle the situation.

Fire crews are expected to clear out of the area by about Sept. 21, and after that State Parks will be able to assess the situation in more detail and determine what actions need to be taken to safely reopen the trail.