Parks and attractions reopen after recent fires
LINCOLN, NEB. 2012-09-19 — /travelprnews.com/ — Recent wildfires have created the misperception that travel is limited and businesses are closed in northwest Nebraska. Although many businesses were affected by the fires, nearly all have reopened and are looking forward to active fall tourism and hunting seasons.
The Northwest Nebraska High Country, which includes Sioux, Dawes and Sheridan counties, remains a vibrant part of Nebraska’s tourism offerings, said Nebraska Tourism Commissioner Mike Kesselring. Accordingly, communities such as Chadron, Crawford and Hay Springs want travelers to know they are open, accessible and offer many travel opportunities, including museums, parks, forts, wildlife areas, golf courses, national monuments and more.
Visitors to Chadron State Park, which closed briefly, may see a change in the scenery, but will still find a full slate of outdoor experiences such hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding, camping and hunting. Toadstool Geologic Park, noted for its moonlike geologic formations, also reopened after a short closure, and Fort Robinson State Park is open and active, Kesselring said. Hudson-Meng Research and Education Center will be closed this weekend and possibly longer, as it awaits infrastructure repairs.
District Ranger John Griesinger said the Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands has experienced heightened fire activity recently, but is open for business and he encourages people to visit.
“Currently in an assessment and clean-up phase, roughly 25,000 acres of U.S. Forest Service lands impacted by the fire are under a Forest Closure Order to provide for public safety, health and welfare,” Griesinger said. “The District still has roughly 125,000 acres of forests and grasslands for the public to enjoy and is working daily to open closed portions of the burned area as safety allows.”
Griesinger urged visitors to use caution in the forests and grasslands because record level temperatures and drought conditions continue to elevate fire risk. The latest information and restrictions can be found on the Forest Service website (www.fs.usda.gov/main/nebraska/home).
Kesselring, who owns High Plains Homestead near Crawford, said he has received many calls from travelers concerned about the area.
“We want travelers to know that northwest Nebraska is open and safe,” Kesselring said. “We encourage people to get out and explore this treasured area of the state.”
He suggested visitors call ahead to their destination if they are concerned or have questions. Fire conditions can be checked at InciWeb (www.inciweb.org), an interagency website that provides incident-related information to the public.
Interactive maps, road trip ideas, trip planners and more are available online at www.VisitNebraska.com. Then stay connected with Nebraska Tourism on Facebook, Twitter,Pinterest and YouTube.
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