PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Ever since parts of Multnomah Falls reopened in late November, people have been trying to get passed the closed off areas to get a closer look and take photos — but they’re putting themselves at risk.
The U.S. Forest Service has issued more than 200 warnings and 19 citations for people trespassing in areas that are at risk for rockfalls and landslides because of the Eagle Creek Fire damage. Each ticket is $300.
“We understand it can be tempting for folks to want to go to the falls and take a pictures…but it’s really important for folks to understand that there are post-fire hazards,” Amy Linn with the Forest Service said. “Although these hazards may no be immediately obvious sometimes, especially since now it’s not immediately visible, they are there and they’re very serious.”
Maya Ramarkrishnan is visiting Oregon from India and was disappointed that she wasn’t able to hike up the falls.
“I heard it’s a beautiful place,” she said. “[I’m] planning to come back in the summer anyway, so I hope it’s open by then.”
Many visitors are also disappointed that fences and warning signs are blocking views of the falls.
“The fence is going to be in our pictures forever,” Stephanie Ayala from California said. “It’s like, Wait! It’s not like your typical falls picture unfortunately.”
Construction crews are still working in some areas and officials don’t know for sure when all parts of Multnomah Falls will reopen.
“We are working really hard but we don’t have a specific date because, as you an imagine, construction work is fairly weather dependent,” Linn said.
The Forest Service leaves it up to officers to decide if they’re going to issue a warning or a citation, so if it’s an honest mistake, you’ll likely only get a warning.