Dangerous Conditions Close San Bernardino National Forest For 2 Weeks

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — To better provide public and community amid extreme snow and ice conditions, officials announced Thursday that the San Bernardino National Forest will temporarily from 11:59 p.m. March 3 through 11:59 p.m. March 16.

The forest service outlined the factors that went into the decision:

"This emergency forest-wide closure is necessary to protect public safety in light of severe winter storms that have impacted the area this week, causing California’s Governor to declare a state of emergency for mountain communities in San Bernardino County," a news release stated. "Roads are impassible in portions of the Forest and emergency response is difficult due to the extreme amount of snow that has fallen. Avalanches are being reported in the area. Residents of communities within and neighboring the Forest have become stranded and are running low on food and water. State and local partners of the Forest are working to clear roads and conduct rescue operations. This Closure Order will improve access through National Forest System lands for first responders and those attempting to leave or access their homes, while minimizing the number of rescue operations that must be conducted. Additionally, National Forest staff resources are needed to address this winter storm emergency, leaving insufficient resources available to manage less-impacted portions of the Forest in the usual manner."

The only people exempt from the order are people with a forest service permit (No. FS-7700-48) that permits use of roads, trails, or areas restricted by regulation or order; landowners or lessees; residents of the area, including Recreation Residence permit holders; any federal, state, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire-fighting force in the performance of official duty; people engaged in a business, trade, or occupation in the area; people holding valid permits authorizing them to use the Bonita Ranch Campground or the Lytle Creek Firing Line, in accordance with the terms of their permits; and holders of valid ski passes issued by forest service-permitted ski resorts that remain open for business.

For more information, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf/