San Bernardino National Forest to remain closed

San Bernardino National Forest officials today announced that the current forest-wide emergency closure order has been extended through midnight on Sept. 22. The Angeles, Cleveland and Los Padres national forests are also extending their forest-wide closures through the same date.

The Regional Order that closed public access to all national forests in California through Sept. 17 will be rescinded tomorrow. Due to ongoing high fire danger and active wildfires across the West, the Southern California national forests will remain closed for another week to better provide for public and firefighter safety. Large numbers of fire personnel from the Southern California national forests are currently demobilizing and returning to their home units after weeks of nonstop work.

By temporarily reducing the numbers of people on the Forest, this closure order will minimize the likelihood that visitors could become entrapped during an emergency and decrease the potential for new fire starts at a time of extremely limited firefighting resources. Severe and persistent drought due to hot and dry weather has led to rapid growth and increasingly unpredictable fire behavior across Northern California with no relief expected until late fall. Conditions in Southern California are similar and likely to worsen.

Currently, there are 11 large uncontained fires burning on National Forest System lands statewide, and there are more than 15,000 personnel, 303 crews and 1,113 engines committed to fire fighting in California. This closure order is intended to reduce the likelihood of a new fire start over the next week.

San Bernardino National Forest officials wish to thank the public for the patience and understanding that has been shown during this challenging fire season.