ACCESS TO POPULAR HIKING SITES CLOSED FOR FIRE SEASON

The Board of Supervisors on May 17 authorized Riverside County Fire Department Chief Bill Weiser to close access to six outdoor recreational locations for the duration of Southern California’s wildfire season to minimize public safety risks.

Since 2007, the department has sought and received authorization to close designated grounds — located mainly in the central and southwestern portions of the county — typically from June to November. When the season is predicted to be especially challenging, fire officials seek closures early, as Weiser did this year.

The board voted 5-0 without comment in favor of the chief ’s request for 2022. The closures took effect May 23.

“Due to the potential for large damaging human-caused fires, the county fire chief has determined these areas should be closed, except on public roadways and on inhabited areas of private property within the closure areas,” according to a county fire statement.

Wildfires in any of the locations would be difficult to manage, given the sites’ terrain and remoteness, officials said.

The following locations fall under the county’s closure order:

Bautista Canyon, southeast of Hemet;

Eagle Canyon, between Lake Mathews and the county landfill, just north of Cajalco Road;

Indian Canyon and North Mountain, around San Jacinto;

the Ramona Bowl, south of Hemet;

Steel Peek, west of Meadowbrook and north of Highway 74; and

Whitewater Canyon, near Cabazon.

Officials pointed out that the Ramona Bowl will remain accessible between sunrise and noon daily, with the area off-limits any other time of day.

By reducing foot and off-road vehicle traffic in each location, the chances of a wildfire starting are much slimmer, according to the fire department.

Closure signs will be posted at entry points to warn potential violators of fines and other penalties. First offenses usually result in a minimum $100 ticket.

Residents will be permitted to come and go as they please.

The closures are usually lifted at year’s end but can be rescinded before then by the chief, depending on the timing of winter rains.