Multiple Forests Re-opening Thursday and Saturday

[Hikin_Jim]

See below for info on Angeles, Cleveland, Los Padres, and San Bernardino National Forest Re-openings.

Angeles National Forest To Reopen After Wildfires

POSTED: 11:07 am PST November 7, 2007
UPDATED: 11:25 am PST November 7, 2007
LOS ANGELES -- The Angeles National Forest, closed recently due to wildfires, will reopen for recreation Thursday, and the Cleveland National Forest will reopen Saturday.

The reopening of the Angeles National Forest includes both the northern swath, stretching from the Kern County line to the Antelope Valley (14) Freeway, and the southern section including the San Gabriel Mountain Range, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Since shortly after the firestorm that started Oct. 21, only forest-through roads, such as the Angeles (2) Crest and Ortega (74) highways, have been open to the public. All campgrounds and trails have been off-limits, except for individuals or groups with special permits from the U.S. Forest Service.

Because of damage from the Buckweed and Ranch fires in northern Los Angeles County, some areas will stay closed until rehabilitation efforts are completed, Sherry Rollman of the Forest Service said.

Some closures that were in effect before the recent wildfires remain in place. For more information, visit the Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles.

Also reopening Thursday will be parts of the Los Padres and San Bernardino national forests that were closed during the wildfires, Rollman said.

The closure in the Cleveland National Forest will be lifted on Saturday.

"With the lack of rain, the risk of wildfire in the forests is steadily increasing," Rollman said.

"It is important that everyone remains 'situationally aware' of their surroundings and the responsibilities associated with visiting the forest," Rollman said.