Los Padres National Forest temporarily closes due to heat, dry conditions

LOS PADRES NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. (KION) Due to heat, wind, dry conditions and stretched firefighting resources, the U.S. Forest Service has decided to close the Los Padres National Forest along with several others.

Crews with the Los Padres National Forest are currently fighting the Dolan Fire in the Big Sur area.

Stanislaus National Forest, Sierra National Forest, Sequoia National Forest, Inyo National Forest, Angeles National Forest, San Bernardino National Forest, Cleveland National Forest and Los Padres National Forest will be temporarily closed to keep the public safe and reduce the risk of human-caused fires starting at 5 p.m. Monday.

“The wildfire situation throughout California is dangerous and must be taken seriously. Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening, and we simply do not have enough resources to fully fight and contain every fire,” said Randy Moore, Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region. “We are bringing every resource to bear nationally and internationally to fight these fires, but until conditions improve, and we are confident that National Forest visitors can recreate safely, the priority is always to protect the public and our firefighters. With these extreme conditions, these temporary actions will help us do both.”

In addition to closures, the U.S. Forest Service is not allowing the use of any ignition source on any National Forest System lands in California and is closing all developed campgrounds and day-use sites in California National Forests.

So far, the Dolan Fire has burned 36,237 acres and is 40% contained. The Creek Fire started in the Sierra National Forest Friday and made a 15-mile run in one day.