Entry and use of national forest system lands in California is now prohibited, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service order signed earlier this week.
According to the order, meant to “provide for public safety” and signed into law last Wednesday, no one may enter a developed recreation site within the state’s National Forest System lands, except for people with permits or federal, state and local officers, rescue personnel or firefighters on duty, until April 30.
The order includes campgrounds, day-use areas, and picnic areas, but not trailheads as its intent is to allow visitors continued access to lands for hiking and walking. Violators could earn a fine of up to $5,000, a prison term of up to six months or both.
Lands covered under the order include the Angeles, Cleveland, El Dorado, Humboldt-Toiyabe, Inyo, Klamath, Lassen, Los Padres, Mendocino, Modoc, Plumas, Rogue River-Siskiyou, San Bernardino, Sequoia, Shasta-Trinity, Sierra, Six Rivers, Stanislaus and Taho national forests, as well as the Butte Valley National Grassland, Giant Sequoia National Monument and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit.
The order’s full text may be read here (PDF format) and the forest service’s coronavirus page is at https://www.fs.usda.gov/about-agency/covid19-updates.
Closures of USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region developed recreation facilities are being put in place until at least April 30th in an attempt to avoid groups of people and promote social distancing of staying more than six feet apart.
— Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (@usfs_r5) March 26, 2020
While designated recreation sites will be closed, the general Forest area including the extensive trail system will remain open and available to the public. Hiking and walking outdoors are widely considered beneficial to maintaining one’s health.
— Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (@usfs_r5) March 26, 2020
We ask that you consider whether your personal participation in outdoor recreation at this time would pose an unnecessary risk to others as we all work together to flatten the curve and slow the spread of COVID-19.
— Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region (@usfs_r5) March 26, 2020
Contact George Kelly at 408-859-5180.
