MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – An area of the Mendocino National Forest ravaged by a massive wildlife last summer has reopened to recreational uses.

Forest officials said the Mill Fire Closure, formally referenced as Order Number 08-13-03, expired at midnight Friday.

Beginning last July 7, the Mill Fire burned more than 29,500 acres between the Letts Lake area and the community of Stonyford on the Grindstone Ranger District of the Mendocino National Forest.

With the closure order's expiration, forest officials said the area is officially reopened for recreation, including off-highway vehicles under designated roads and trails.

Forest officials reopened the Mill Fire area to hiking and walking in January, as Lake County News has reported.

While many recreational uses have been reinstated in the fire area, forest officials said visitors should be aware that Old Mill Campground remains closed.

For more information, contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316, the Stonyford Work Center at 530-963-3128 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino .

Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.