Thousands of dollars in damages resulted from the reckless actions of two drivers who disregarded the Plumas National Forest road closure signs. Their actions led to one of the drivers driving off an embankment.
According to Plumas National Forest engineer Jonathan Berry, this incident occurred on a road within the forest designated as closed. Despite clear indicators such as road closure signs, K-rail barricades, and strategically placed boulders obstructing the path, these individuals made the dangerous choice to circumvent these safety measures. Berry emphasized that such road closures are implemented for public safety to prevent such situations. He explained that road closures are necessary during repairs and reconstruction, which often involve removing segments of the road or where heavy equipment operates, leaving no safe areas for turning around.
Forest officials disclosed that this week, one of the drivers who ignored the closure signs and ventured onto the road undergoing construction ended up slipping into an excavated section of the road being repaired. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but the abandoned vehicle had to be extracted. A separate incident of a driver ignoring the closure led to damages amounting to over $5,000 for a welded wire mat that had to be replaced.
Information officer Tamara Schmidt noted that the consequences can be dangerous and costly. The Plumas National Forest has suffered substantial damage over the past five years due to storms and wildfires. Hazardous trees now line many of the forest’s service roads, exacerbating the risks of accessing these areas.
The Plumas National Forest authorities remind locals and visitors to respect road closures and exercise extreme caution while driving on Forest roads, particularly in regions affected by wildfires. The Forest management emphasizes that numerous road repair and construction projects are underway this summer. If a road is closed and marked as such, it is imperative to avoid entering and instead seek an alternate route.
Penalties for violating these closure orders are significant, with fines of up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for organizations. In addition, violators could face imprisonment of up to six months or both.
Photo courtesy Plumas National Forest
