Mt. Hood National Forest officials on Friday said they have reduced the area closed by the Eagle Creek fire, unlocking access to campgrounds, lakes and trails.

The public can now access more than 14,500 acres previously closed because of the historic blaze, which began in early September and covered nearly 49,000 acres, the National Forest said. The change doesn't include popular Columbia River Gorge landmarks along the Interstate 84 corridor but does offer access to a section of the Pacific Crest Trail and other destinations.

Among the areas now open to the public:

Wahtum Lake and campground

Rainy Lake and campground

Ottertail Lake and campground

Black Lake and campground

Indian Springs Dispersed Campground

The Pacific Crest Trail from Buck Peak to Indian Springs

The Rainy Kingsley Trail (409B)

The public can go to Wahtum and Rainy lakes, but the waterbodies remain off-limits.

Jonathan Erickson, acting east zone recreation manager for the Mt. Hood National Forest, said the closure area isn't consistently marked, so recreationalists should carry maps or a GPS to assure staying out of the closure area.

He stressed that people should check conditions before trips by calling the Mt. Hood National Forest, whose phone number is 503-668-1700, or checking SNOTEL sites. He said people should also tell others where they plan to go and carry chains, a shovel and the 10 essentials.

Erickson said the lower-elevation parts of area roads were drivable Friday but that he expected people to find increasingly snowy conditions starting Friday night.

He said travelers can drive to Rainy, Black and Ottertail lakes, conditions permitting, but trips to Wahtum or Indian Springs require a lengthy venture on foot.

The closure area within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area remains unchanged, according to a spokeswoman.

The Scenic Area, which is an arm of the U.S. Forest Service, announced last week information about some gorge trails damaged in the blaze. Officials hope some trails east of Cascade Locks might reopen in spring and summer 2018. The timeline for reopening trails west of Multnomah Falls is still uncertain, and some trails between the falls and Herman Creek might be closed for several years.

Some trails in the heart of the burn area could be closed for up to five years, Scenic Area spokeswoman Rachel Pawlitz previously told The Oregonian/OregonLive.

You can view a PDF of the entire closure area by clicking here.

-- Jim Ryan

jryan@oregonian.com

503-221-8005; @Jimryan015

Read more coverage of the Eagle Creek fire and its aftermath: