Engineers with the Okanogan-Wenatchee N.F. are busy assessing damage caused by rainfall on a rapidly-melting mountain snowpack that has caused washouts, flooding and debris flows on many of the national forest’s more than 8,000 miles of roads.

“Right now, we’re tracking, assessing and putting in emergency protective measures for these roads,” said Forest Engineer Gretchen Barkmann. The recent spring run-off has caused more than $3.75 million in repair work with few additional funding avenues available for repairs.

More damage is expected to be discovered this summer as the snowpack continues to melt. The public is urged to contact local ranger stations before leaving home to learn current road and trail conditions for the area where they will be recreating. Forest Service officials are also asking the public to report any road or trail damage to ranger stations.

They are reminding forest visitors snowmelt can make open roads impassable later in the day as temperatures increase. Some roads are best left untraveled until conditions improve and hazards have been assessed.

Please contact ranger district offices for the most current forest road condition information.