Starting June 1, the county warns greenway users not to wander off the paved trail; parts of the pathway burned in the 2020 Almeda Fire

By Ashland.news staff

Fire season is just around the corner for Jackson and Josephine counties, and one of the restrictions enacted by the season start will involve parts of the Bear Creek Greenway.

When the season begins on June 1 — a declaration covering 1.8 million acres of private and public lands —Jackson County Roads and Parks will close all off-pavement areas on the 20-mile multiuse trail that extends from Ashland to Central Point and passes through Talent, Phoenix and Medford, according to a news release. Bikers, walkers, runners and all other visitors to the greenway need to stay on the pavement.

“We want folks to use the trail for biking, walking, running and any other recreational use that allows them to remain on the paved portion of the trail,” Jackson County Roads and Parks Director Steve Lambert said in the release. “We maintain vegetation within 10 feet of the paved path to lower fire risk. However, if you venture off of the paved surface in an area under Jackson County’s jurisdiction, you are at risk of potential enforcement measures.”

The 2020 Almeda Fire surged through parts of the greenway and adjacent off-trail vegetation, propelled by fierce winds and dry weather. Mitigation work has included removal of fuels along the corridor, along with habitat and creek restoration efforts.

“The greenway is a special place and serves our community on many levels,” Lambert said. “This off-pavement seasonal closure, along with other fuel mitigation efforts we are focusing on, is a very important part of our county’s effort to prevent a fire in this urban corridor.”