DCHS Still Closed

I spoke this morning with USFS Enforcement Ranger Brad Burns and he said that DCHS and surrounding USFS lands are still closed. The current tentative date for opening closed lands in the DCHS area is March 15, 2004. Brad said that he hopes the DCHS area specifically might open sooner, its a possibility. Even though the DCHS area did not get burned, the Forest Service wishes to keep people from accessing the burned areas by way of trails, like the PCT which if traveled upstream from DCHS will enter the burned area. Also the Forest Service is concerned about damaged trees posing a saftey problem for those that may hike into these burned areas, from unburned lands. Brad said that violators of this forest closure would be cited. Brad works out of the Sky Forest Ranger station. The phone number to reach this station is 909-382-2782. For most up to date information on the DCHS closure situation refer questions to Brad Burns, or Norma Baily who both work out of the Sky Forest Ranger District. The San Bernardino USFS office said that Sky Forest would have the best information on questions related to the DCHS closure. Maps showing the closure area, and boundries, can be obtained at the Sky Forest Ranger station, and possibly at the Cottonwood Ranger station down by lake Silverwood on HWY 138. I know this is not the best news for all of us who love to go to DCHS and hopefully this closure will be lifted sooner.