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Home > News & Columns > Michael P. Neufeld > San Bernardino National Forest to Open; Fire Affected Areas will Remain Closed

San Bernardino National Forest to Open; Fire Affected Areas will Remain Closed

By Michael P. Neufeld
Wednesday, November 7, 2007

Press Release from US Forest Service

San Bernardino, CA — The temporary emergency closure in effect for the San Bernardino National Forest (NF) since October 23 will be terminated on Thursday, November 8. The forest will be open to visitors, but some fire-affected areas will remained closed until rehabilitation efforts are complete.

The areas affected by the Grass Valley and the Slide Fires that remain closed include:

Grass Valley Fire Road Closure

• Closure of Forest Road 2N34 from Junction of 2N37 to Forest boundary
• Closure of Forest Road 2N34A from Forest boundary to 2N34

Slide Fire Closure

• Forest Trail 2W07 from 3N34 Junction to Fisherman's Campground
• Fredalba Trail from forest boundary
• FSR 2N19 (including spurs 2N19A, 2N19B, and 2N19C) from intersection with Green Valley Lake Road near Camp Cedar Crest to Meadow Lane near the Green Valley Campground
• Forest Service Road 2N16 from the Green Valley Campground to its terminus
• Forest Service Road 2N13 from Green Valley Campground to Fawnskin (3N14) (overlap Butler 2 closure)
• Forest Service Road 2N13D from intersection with 2N13 to Crafts Peak
• Forest Service Road 2N33Y from 3N16 to Tent Peg Group Camp
• Forest Service Road 3N34B from 3N16 to its terminus
• Green Valley Campground and the roads within the campground
• Fisherman's Group Campground
• Tent Peg Group Campground

Additional Closed Forest Roads – currently closed for repair:

• Forest Service Road 1N35 Cucamonga Canyon Road
• Forest Service Road 1N34 San Sevaine Road

Areas closed to the public prior to the temporary emergency closures will remain closed.

The Forest Service makes determinations on fire danger levels based on moisture levels in vegetation, weather conditions and firefighter staffing/equipment needs, among other criteria. Current conditions in Southern California allow for lifting the closure on the San Bernardino, Angeles and Los Padres National Forests beginning Thursday, while the Cleveland National Forest will reopen on Saturday, November 10.

Forest visitors are reminded that the fire danger level remains critical due to drought conditions. Current conditions are still very dry and serious. Visitors are encouraged to remain "situationally aware" of their surroundings and the responsibilities associated with visiting the forest including adherence to all current restrictions on the San Bernardino NF, including:

• Wood or charcoal fires are not allowed anywhere on the forest.
• Propane or jelled gas stoves will be allowed with a valid California Campfire Permit.
• Smoking is allowed only in enclosed buildings or vehicles.
• No fireworks.
• No shooting of tracer, armor piercing, Teflon or steel core ammunition.
• No recreational target shooting except in developed concessionaire sites.
• Forest Service approved spark arrestors are required on off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion engines.
• Welding, grinding, cutting and use of explosives allowed only with permit.
• Geographic areas may be closed due to special circumstances.

The San Bernardino, along with the Angeles, Los Padres and Cleveland National Forests, implemented the temporary closures during the recent fires due to extreme fire danger and to protect public health and safety. The closures remained in effect last weekend due to Santa Ana winds and ongoing fire-related activities.

For more information about the San Bernardino NF, please contact one of the offices listed below or visit the forest website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/.

• San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor's Office: 909-382-2600
• Lytle Creek Ranger Station: 909-382-2850
• Skyforest Ranger Station: 909-382-2758
• Idyllwild Ranger Station: 909-382-2922
• Mill Creek Ranger Station: 909-382-2881
• Big Bear Discovery Center: 909-382-2790

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The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect those of RIMOFTHEWORLD.net. This column is copyrighted by Michael P. Neufeld.