FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The Alaska Dept. of Natural Resources is asking the public to avoid certain roads and trails during break up to prevent damage to both the routes and vehicles that may be on them.
As break up season brings in warmer and wetter weather, the frozen trails many have enjoyed throughout winter will become a soft and muddy mess. During this time those trails, along with forestry roads, will become vulnerable to serious damage which may prevent any further use during the long awaited summer months.
To prevent damage, the Alaska Dept. of Natural Resource is reminding the public to avoid these routes during break up. Specifically, the DNR wants the public to avoid using roads in the Tanana Valley State Forest and trails in the Chena River Recreation Area have been closed to motorized access. Using motor vehicles on trails that have been closed not only risks damaging the route, but also vehicles. Additionally, those that fail to adhere to the closure may be fined. Non-motorized transportation can still be used on trails in the Chena River Recreation Area. This includes bicycles, skis and of course simple foot power.
While there is no penalty for using the forestry roads, the same risks to road and vehicle exist. Damage to these routes can be expensive to repair and may require a closure of the road to the public during such repairs.