Forest fire footprint reopened to hikers

A year ago this week, a bolt of lightning sparked a wildfire that spread through 12 square miles near Mount Adams.

On Wednesday, the supervisor of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest lifted a closure order in effect since last year. Supervisor Janine Clayton acted after workers from the Mount Adams Ranger District cleared away partially burned trees that were considered a hazard to hikers.

Visitors should continue to exercise caution off the maintained trails, especially around burned trees and stump holes. The Cold Springs fire burned 7,729 acres on the south flank of Mount Adams near the Aiken Lava Bed after it flared up July 12, 2008. The fire required an army of 1,000 people to suppress, and ultimately consumed almost $10 million in firefighting costs.