Credit: Sierra National Forest

January 21, 2017 - Clovis, California - Recent storms have brought much needed rain and snow to the Sierra Nevada in the last few weeks. These storms have also created a significant amount of runoff, swelling rivers and creeks beyond their capacity in many locations, and causing recent evacuation notices to be issued for several areas. These notices have since been lifted. With the ground already saturated, road travel requires additional caution, as the potential for additional flooding, mud and rock slides, washouts, and falling trees still exists.

Several roads on the Sierra National Forest have sustained damage due to these recent storms. The McKinley Grove Road located on the High Sierra Ranger District which is seasonally closed, has had a 65ft section of road wash out. Efforts have been made to repair this damage. Numerous other roads including Dinkey Creek Rd have seen damage ranging from washing out, mud & rock slides, and downed trees blocking the roadway. The following is a list of roads that the Sierra NF has closed for public safety due to damage, their impassability, and to avoid damage from further use.

The roads that are closed include:

• McKinley Grove Rd (11s40) - Only open to PG&E and forest crews, as damages are assessed, and repaired.
• Garnet Dike Rd (12s01) – Closed due to rock & mud slide making road impassible.
• Dinkey Creek Rd (Fresno County maintained) – Closed due to storm damage, for road updates contact Fresno County at  559-600-4240.
  Source:  Sierra National Forest