Partial closures remain through June 15, 2025.

On road barrier, the image is up close to a sign stating "Road Closed". In the background is a sage step with portions burned from wildfire.
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The Warner Peak Fire is now one hundred percent contained, but over 82,000 acres of Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge (Refuge) will remain closed through June 15, 2025, due to the extensive wildfire damage and the potential threat of invasive species invasive species
An invasive species is any plant or animal that has spread or been introduced into a new area where they are, or could, cause harm to the environment, economy, or human, animal, or plant health. Their unwelcome presence can destroy ecosystems and cost millions of dollars.

Learn more about invasive species .  For latest information, please see alert on refuge's homepage. If you have questions about how this closure may affect hunt seasons in Hart Mountain NAR, please contact Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife at 541-883-5732.

Map of Current Closures due to Wildfires

Closures include: 

  • Post Meadows and Hot Springs Campgrounds
  • Warner Pond 
  • Blue Sky, including Hot Spring Road
  • Barnhardy Road (Normal seasonal closure is December 1 - August 1.)
  • Skyline Drive
  • Martin Canyon (portion)
  • Old Military Road (portion)
  • South Boundary Road
  • Hart Lake Road
  • Land surrounded by these road closures in southern and western portions of refuge.

Open access as of September 2, 2024, weather permitted includes:

  • Hart Mountain Road
  • Frenchglen Road
  • Camp Hart Mountain Campground (first come, first serve)
  • Shirk Road
  • Flook Lake Road 
  • Poker Jim Ridge  
  • Visitor Center is intermittently open between 8am-4pm when staffing is available.
  • Remaining 186,000 acres not burned by Warner Peak Fire

*Secondary roads close between December 1 - June 15.

To help sage brush rehabilitation, please clean bottom of vehicles before traveling into the Refuge to prevent spread of invasive weeds. 

DUE TO EXTREME FIRE DANGER, the following restrictions and requirements are in effect for Sheldon and Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuges until further notice.

FIRES, STOVES, SMOKING, other BURNING and EQUIPMENT:

  • PERMITTED: Building, maintaining, attending, or using campfires or charcoal fires is only allowed in Virgin Valley Campground on Sheldon NWR.
  • PROHIBITED: Wood stoves, smoker fires, and portable braziers are prohibited on Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge and Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge.
  • PERMITTED: Liquefied and bottled gas stoves and heaters, and generators with an approved spark arrestor within an area at least 10 feet in diameter and barren of all flammable material.
  • PROHIBITED: Smoking outside, except in areas barren of all flammable materials at least 6 feet in diameter, or in a vehicle.
  • PROHIBITED: Power saw operations.
  • PROHIBITED: Welding equipment, including acetylene or open flame torches.
  • Spark arresting devices must be properly installed and maintained on all internal combustion engines.

MOTORIZED VEHICLES:

  • Due to extreme fire danger, select roads on Sheldon and Hart Mountain Refuges may be closed due to hazardous conditions.  Vehicles are permitted only on roads where flammable vegetation and debris does not come in contact with the vehicle undercarriage.
  • Vehicles are prohibited on roads marked as closed and on roads in which flammable vegetation or debris may contact the vehicle undercarriage. Be aware of Road Closed signs and Avoid Hazardous Road Conditions, such as those shown below: 
  • Road Closed Sign
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  • Hazardous Road with vegetation
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  • Vehicles may only drive on roads in which vegetation does not contact the vehicle undercarriage:
Dirt road free of tall vegetation or debris
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  • Vehicles must be parked in an area barren of flammable material, including vegetation (this includes all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, cars, pickups, etc.)
  • All motorized vehicles must carry the following equipment: A shovel not less than 26 inches in overall length, with a blade not less than eight inches wide; one water container of at least one gallon in size filled to capacity or a 2.5 pound fully charged fire extinguisher; Axe or Pulaski Pulaski
    The Pulaski is a special hand tool used in wildland firefighting. The tool combines an axe and an adze in one head, similar to that of the cutter mattock, with a rigid handle of wood, plastic, or fiberglass. The Pulaski is a versatile tool for constructing firebreaks, as it can be used to both dig soil and chop wood.

    Learn more about Pulaski     with a handle at least 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than two pounds.
  • It is prohibited to operate any type of motorcycle or all-terrain vehicle not equipped with an approved and fully-functioning spark arrestor.
    Vehicles are permitted only on roads where flammable vegetation and debris does not come in contact with the vehicle undercarriage.


Members of the public are cautioned that failure to comply with these restrictions may result in criminal and/or civil penalties.