Los Padres National Forest extends

recreational shooting ban for six months

SOLVANG, Calif.— Los Padres National Forest officials announced that the Forest Order prohibiting discharging of any firearm except in permitted gun ranges has been extended until January 31, 2022, to provide for public safety due to continuing high fire danger conditions and the potential for a wildfire sparked by firearms or the discharged projectiles.

With minimal winter rainfall to date, live fuel moisture levels across the Forest have not significantly rebounded from last year and remain near critical levels. Predictive weather forecasts indicate persistent, strong offshore wind events through the spring and summer that will likely further reduce fuel moisture levels.

Long-range weather models have consistently shown well below normal precipitation and drier than average weather with a high likelihood of elevated temperatures through the spring months. If these forecasts are accurate, fire activity could occur weeks earlier this year.

Preventing accidental starts from shooting activities under dry conditions is key to protecting life and property. Shooting ranges under permit by Los Padres National Forest monitor and implement preventative measures to avoid accidental starts.

Under this Forest Order, discharging a firearm is prohibited except in the designated target ranges at the Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club. Persons hunting during the open hunting season as specified in the laws of the State of California and having a valid California hunting license are exempt from this Forest Order for the purposes of hunting only.

A violation of this prohibition is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both.

For additional information, please visit the Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/lpnf/home.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FULL OVERNIGHT CLOSURES OF HIGHWAY 1 AT BIXBY BRIDGE

BEGIN MONDAY JULY 12

MONTEREY COUNTY – Maintenance work at the Bixby Bridge (PM 59.5) will result in full overnight closures of Highway 1 for three weeks beginning Monday July 12.

The full overnight closures will take place from 9 pm to 5:30 am. (except for Sundays when the closures will begin at 10 pm.)

Week One begins Monday July 12

Full overnight closures will take place Monday through Thursday from 9 pm to 5:30 am.

Week Two begins Sunday July 18

Full overnight closures will take place Sunday July 18, 10 pm to 5:30 am, and Monday through Thursday from 9 pm to 5:30 am.

Week Three begins Sunday July 25

Full overnight closures will take place Sunday July 25, 10 pm to 5:30 am, and Monday through Thursday from 9 pm to 5:30 am.

In case of an emergency requiring travel across the Bixby Bridge during the hours of the closures, residents and all travelers are advised to call 911.

Due to the use of a large crane and other heavy equipment on the bridge during the closure, the roadway would take at least 30 minutes to reopen for emergency vehicles.

Caltrans is working closely with the California Highway Patrol to coordinate traffic control and emergency response during closure hours.

There is no detour for this closure and traffic control will direct motorists to return along Highway 1 in the direction from which they came.

Message and directional signs will alert motorists in advance of the closure area.

These closures are necessary for contracted maintenance crews to perform repairs and inspections on the bridge support for the safety of all travelers.