Forest Closures Extended on Los Padres National Forest & others

September 30, 2020

Media Contact: Jonathan Groveman (707) 562-8995 
jonathan.groveman@usda.gov

Public Inquiry Line: (707) 562-9113

Forest Service Revises Closure Orders and Fire Restrictions in California

VALLEJO, Calif. – The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region has revised closure orders and fire prohibitions in California. These decisions will continue to be evaluated daily.

The revisions include:

1. Easing fire restrictions – Propane and gas stove use is now permitted on developed recreation sites on National Forests in California. Developed recreation sites are defined as areas which have been improved or developed for recreation such as campgrounds and day use sites.

2. Forest Closures – Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests are no longer part of the regional closure orders but may have local restrictions. Check the websites, social media accounts, or call those respective forests for specific information on what may be opening.

Seven National Forests (NF) in California remain closed: Angeles NF, Cleveland NF, Los Padres NF, Inyo NF, San Bernardino NF, Sequoia NF, and Sierra NF. This decision will continue to be reviewed daily, taking fire and weather conditions into account.

Eleven National Forests may be open to varying degrees. Visitors should contact the following National Forests for more information on their status: Eldorado NF, Klamath NF, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Lassen NF, Mendocino NF, Modoc NF, Plumas NF, Shasta-Trinity NF, Six Rivers NF, Stanislaus NF, and Tahoe NF. For additional questions, please contact your local National Forest.

“We understand how important access to national forests is to our visitors,” said Randy Moore, Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region.  “As we evaluate fire and weather conditions on a daily basis, we will continue to make adjustments to ensure safe visitation. Our aim continues to prevent any new fires on the landscape.”

If you do intend to visit a National Forest that is open to visitors, we continue to recommend that you not travel long distances to recreate. If you or anyone in your household is feeling sick, please remain at home and plan your trip for another time.  All visitors should practice self-sufficiency during your visits to national forests. Recreating responsibly will help ensure that expanded access to recreational facilities, services, and opportunities continues. Responsible recreation practices should be maintained at all times, including:

• Maintaining at least six feet distancing from others

• Do not gather in groups and please follow the latest guidance from officials

• Communicate with others as you pass. Alert trail users of your presence and step aside to let others pass

• Pack out your trash and leave with everything you bring in and use.

• All services may not be available, so please plan accordingly.

The Forest Service manages 18 National Forests in the Pacific Southwest Region, which encompasses over 20 million acres across California, and assists State and Private forest landowners in California, Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. National forests supply 50 percent of the water in California and form the watershed of most major aqueducts and more than 2,400 reservoirs throughout the state. For more information, visit www.fs.usda.gov/R5.