U.S. Forest Service Temporarily Closes National Forests In California Due To Extreme Fire Risk

The U.S. Forest Service issued a temporary closure Tuesday of all national forests throughout the state in an effort to reduce the potential for new wildfires starting and visitors becoming trapped in an emergency situation.

The closure will last through 11:59 p.m. Sept. 17, Forest Service officials said, as conditions across the state mean that new fires have a high potential for rapid growth and risks to life and property.

Forest Service officials also noted that weather conditions that could reduce fire danger are not expected for several weeks in the late summer and early fall.

“This is not a light decision,” Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien said Tuesday. “But at this point, with the resources and the conditions that we have in the state of California, it’s the best choice for public safety.”

The closure order includes a handful of carveouts for people or organizations that have permits specifically exempting them from the order.

People who also do business on Forest Service lands will be allowed to use National Forest System roads as necessary to conduct their business.

Eberlien suggested that people who work within Forest Service lands contact their local forest supervisor for more information on what activities are exempt from the order.

Deputy Regional Forester Tony Scardina noted, however, that some industries with permits to remain on Forest Service lands have expressed hesitation due to how poor fire conditions currently are.

“If you’re running chainsaws, running equipment, etc., and you start a fire, there’s risk in that,” Scardina said. “So the conditions are so bad right now that a lot of them are going to wait until some of those conditions subside.”