On March 18, the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF) announced the closing of most of its internal Forest System Roads. The closures would expire June 30 and were the result of … “Significant winter storms in February and March 2023 [that] have resulted in extreme snowfall on the higher elevation terrain of the forest and continuing rains/snow melt is affecting road conditions at lower elevations,” according to the Forest Service’s press release.

All five SBNF districts, including the San Jacinto and four districts in the San Bernardino Mountains, were being treated the same although the recorded snowfall in the northern districts was between two to four times the volume of snow falling on the Hill.

While San Jacinto Peak received much more snow than the lower communities, access to it is limited to trails, not roads. A total of 31 San Jacinto Ranger District (SJRD) roads or portions of those roads have been closed.

The two exceptions provided in the order were for persons with a Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 specifically exempting them from this order and any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.

Forest Service staff stressed that the forest areas, such as hiking trails, were not closed. People could access areas by walking, snowshoeing, skiing or other nonmotor vehicles.

SJRD Acting District Ranger Susan Zahn explained the local closures in an email to the Town Crier: “With so many storms, providing snow and rain, and more snow, many of the mountain roads have proven to be difficult in navigating or even impossible in higher elevation portions of the forest, possibly making access for emergency response more difficult — impacting public and employee safety. There have been unusual reporting of avalanches throughout the forest, including the San Jacinto mountains.”

One avalanche, on the eastern side of the mountain, was captured on a phone camera and the video posted on Twitter in early March.

“In lower elevations where snow has melted, there is concern about possible resource impacts of people driving in muddy areas and even sometimes off-road,” Zahn continued. “The district has been able to do cursory surveys of road and building damage but has not been able to get to the higher elevations, as yet, to check these areas for resource concerns.”

More specific assessment of the local conditions was provided by Lee Beyer, SJRD recreation forestry technician. “Due to the significant amount of snow at the higher elevations, many obstacles, such as fallen rocks and trees, as well as erosion channels from the rain on snow events are hidden.

“I am aware of reported trees across the road on Black Mountain Road (reported by a volunteer who was hiking),” he added. “Santa Rosa and South Ridge usually have trees and rocks of various sizes on the roads in the springtime.”

The Forest Service officials stressed that their staff regularly survey the road conditions. Consequently, many of the roads may be reopened before the order’s June 30 termination.

The National Weather Service’s current forecast for April through June is below average precipitation in Southern California, which may help advance the reopening of many of the roads.

However, Beyer advised, “If significant road issues are found (significant erosion, or large boulders on the road) then road conditions could require longer term closures until the repairs can be completed or obstacles are removed.”

Lake Fulmor is currently closed due to restroom remodeling.