On the recommendation of Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins, the Board of Supervisors, at its June 2 meeting, approved the closure of seven potentially fire hazard areas.
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. Violation of the order could result in a minimum fine of $100 for first-time offenses.
Future closures may be implemented based upon weather conditions, fuel moisture and increased wildfire threat.
Maps for each of the affected areas may be located on the county fire department website at www.rvcfire.org .
For more information on the closure of these areas, call the Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department Public Affairs Bureau at 951-940-6985.
