[pct-l] Marble Mountain Wilderness :: Sec Q is Closed!! due to fires!!

[Deems]

PCT Hikers!
I just received breaking news at work *USFS* today, that the Marble Mtn 
Wilderness is closed to hiker use due to fires, that are mostly many many 
miles away. The Forest Supervisor made this decision, based upon wilderness 
user safety. I believe it is a very very overboard decision, but the law is 
in effect now. SO in essence, the PCT is closed thru the Marble Mtn 
Wilderness as of Aug 2! until the fires are extinguished, which could be 
months away...... stay tuned for updates.. This is Section Q of the PCT, and 
there are no reasonable road/trail routes around it.

This is such breaking news that it isn't even posted on the Klamath NF 
website yet.. My heart goes out to the PCT 2006 Thruhikers that are just 
approaching this incredibly beautiful, (and personal,) stretch of the PCT, 
and may not get to hike it due to the stroke of a pen..

http://inciweb.org/forest/21/
http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/klamath/

This decision raises many questions: Is the wilderness user's safety 
guaranteed by the Klamath Forest Supervisor when it isn't closed??  I've 
never heard of a whole wilderness being closed, even the areas that are so 
far away as to not be affected by the fire zones..