Pesticide to be used to decrease plague risk

The U.S. Forest Service will close several of its South Shore recreation sites Sept. 16, weather permitting, to allow county and state public health and vector control officials to conduct pesticide treatments to reduce plague risk.

Officials will dust all rodent burrows with a pesticide to reduce infestations of fleas that can carry plague.

The gates to Tallac Historic Site, Kiva Beach and Picnic Area, Valhalla and the Taylor Creek Visitor Center are expected reopen Thursday morning. The Pope-Baldwin Bike Trail will remain open, but signs will be posted where the trail crosses closed sites.

A dead California ground squirrel found at the Kiva picnic area adjacent to the Tallac Historic Site tested positive for plague in August.