PINEDALE — Portions of the Fremont Lake Campground were closed by the Bridger-Teton National Forest Pinedale Ranger District, beginning on Sept. 11 and through the duration of hazardous tree removal operations. Area trees were significantly damaged by the destructive Douglas-fir bark beetle. Removing the infested trees will help mitigate future insect attacks, according to the Pinedale Ranger District.

The hazardous trees will be taken from the campground in two phases. First, sites one through 35 and the roadways to them will be closed to the public. The boat ramp and sites 36 to 50 will remain open. During the second phase, sites 13 to 28 and associated roadways will be closed. The boat ramp and sites one through 12 and 29 through 50 will remain open.

Once removed, the trees will be limbed and stacked in d decks up to four feet tall for firewood at several locations within Fremont Lake Campground. Folks with valid firewood permits may access the decks of trees from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. daily until all hazard trees are removed from the campground. The wood is available on a first come, first serve basis at several locations in sites nine through 13 and 29 through 35 during Phase I and sites 13 through 28 during Phase 2.

Temporary closure signage is hung throughout the area, indicating which camp units are available.

Once both phases are completed, the Fremont Lake Campground will reopen.

People may obtain firewood permits from the Pinedale Ranger District, 29 E. Fremont Lake Rd., and the Big Piney Ranger District, 10418 US-189, Big Piney.