Campgrounds, day-use areas and trails in Los Padres National Forest, along with seven other national forests in California, will remain closed until Sept. 21 due to dangerous fire conditions, according to Andrew Madsen, public affairs officer for Los Padres National Forest.
The temporary closures went into effect on Sept. 7 because of the threat of unprecedented and dangerous fire conditions, with a combination of extreme heat, significant wind events, and dry conditions, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
“When the closures went into effect, we were told that it was basically indefinite,” Madsen said. “As the conditions warrant, the closures will be re-evaluated on a daily basis.”
The order extending the closures for another week was posted on the Los Padres National Fores website.
All developed campgrounds and day-use sites are currently closed, and using ignition sources, such as campfires or gas stoves, is prohibited on all national forest land.
All trailheads into forest land, including front-country trails those on the south side of the Santa Ynez Mountains, have signs indicating the closures, Madsen said.
The closures and restrictions also apply to the Stanislaus, Sierra, Sequoia, Inyo, Angeles, San Bernardino, and Cleveland national forests.
— Noozhawk staff writer Jade Martinez-Pogue can be reached at jmartinez-pogue@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.
