US Forest Service temporarily closes all California national forests for public safety

• The National Wildfire Preparedness Level (PL) has been at PL5, the highest level of wildland fire activity, since July 14.
• California is currently fighting record-level fuel and fire conditions with limited resources and no weather relief.
• A violation of the closures may result in a $5,000-10,000 fine, six months in prison, or both.

In the wake of a statewide wildfire crisis, the US Forest Service announced in an August 30 news release that it will temporarily close national forests throughout California from August 31 through September 17 for safety reasons.

The Forest Service hopes to minimize the likelihood that visitors become trapped during emergency circumstances and decrease the potential for new fires to start, especially as firefighting resources are extremely limited.

More than 6,800 wildfires have burned 1.7 million acres across the state, and the National Wildfire Preparedness Level (PL) has been at PL5 - the highest level of wildland fire activity - since July 14, the news release said.

This marks the third time in the past 20 years that a PL5 reading has been achieved by mid-July, according to the news release.

"We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety," Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien said. "It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests."

California is currently experiencing record-level fuel and fire conditions, fire behavior beyond the norm of the Forest Service's experience and models, and limited firefighting resources and teams, with no predicted weather relief until late fall, the press release said.

A violation of these closures may result in a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, imprisonment for six months, or both, according to the Forest Service's regional order.