Angeles National Forest Announces Increased Use Restrictions Effective - September 27

ARCADIA, CA: September 23, 2004

Angeles National Forest will be increasing use restrictions and closing areas that have been identified as extreme safety risks on Monday, September 27. As fire season has progressed, the severity of the situation has continued to increase along with the fire danger. Use restrictions, such as no campfires or campstoves of any kind, have been in place on the Forest since July of this year.

Roughly 80% of the Angeles’ 680,000 acres will be affected on Monday, with the exception of several popular recreation areas including Pyramid Lake, most of San Gabriel Canyon and the Mount Baldy area in San Antonio Canyon. These areas are within close proximity of a paved state or county highway with two ways out for possible evacuation purposes or because of favorable vegetation conditions.

Despite possible cooler temperatures, the wildfire danger will continue until a significant change in weather patterns occurs. Drought stressed areas need significant rainfall. Until then, areas of the Forest will remain under increased use restrictions.

“We’re trying to avoid a repeat of last year,” said Forest Supervisor, Jody Noiron “Even though we may have a low pressure system that moves through the area and temps are cooler for a day or two, it has no real affect on the extremely dry conditions. Cooler temperatures are only a drop in the bucket. The only thing that will bring us out of these extreme conditions is a significant amount of rainfall over a sustained period of time. Until then, we need to take necessary action to protect public safety.”

Last fall, wildfires burned over 750,000 acres, destroyed 3,710 homes and killed 24 people. The Angeles was closed for 11 days during that time. It reopened on November 7, following significant rainfall. This past July, three fires burned 34,000 acres over a two- week period on the Angeles National Forest in the Santa Clarita area.

These increased restrictions will affect the use of most of the Forest’s recreational facilities, roads and hiking trails. County roads and state highways, such as the Angeles Crest Highway (Hwy 2), will remain open to through traffic. For instance, commuters from the Antelope Valley to Los Angeles will not be affected. However, drivers are urged to use extreme caution and adhere to posted fire prevention regulations. Violators of the closure are subject to fines of up to $5,000 and/or imprisonment.

Some areas are totally closed and all uses are suspended due to extreme conditions. These areas include: Chantry Flats, Upper Westfork, Millard, the Clear Creek area, North Fork California Trail Users Association and all organization camps along Santa Clara Divide Road.

Special access will be authorized by permit only for most existing Special Use permittees. However, permit holders must get site-specific temporary special access permits from their local Angeles National Forest District Offices.


Los Angeles River Ranger Station (818) 899-1900
San Gabriel River Ranger Station (626) 335-1251
Santa Clara-Mojave Rivers Ranger Station (661) 296-9710

Visitors are encouraged to check the status of their destination before making final plans.