Last week, CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief John R. Hawkins received approval from the Riverside County Board Supervisors to close seven hiking areas throughout Riverside County.
The closures will remain in effect until further notice in the following areas:
- Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet)
- North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto area)
- Whitewater Canyon (Cabazon, north of Palm Springs)
- Nuevo/Lakeview (east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue)
- Minto (Sage)
- Reinhardt Canyon (north of Highway 74 and California Avenue in Hemet)
- Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon (southeast Hemet)
Riverside County Ordinance 787.6 restricts public access to these identified hazardous fire areas unless private property access is required. Public roadway travel is permitted, providing travel is confined to those surfaces within hazardous fire areas. Those violating the ordinance may be subject to a minimum fine of $100 for first-time offenses.
Future closures may be implemented based upon weather conditions, fuel moisture and increased wildland fire threat.
For additional information on the closure of these hazardous fire areas, please contact the CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department Public Affairs Bureau at (951) 940-6985.
