Forest Service: Prepare before entering national forests

IDYLLWILD (CNS) - Inland Empire residents considering trips into the mountains of the San Bernardino National Forest this Presidents Day weekend should check ahead for travel hazards and know where chain requirements are in place for all vehicles.

“With recent storms throughout California, remember to plan ahead when traveling,” the USFS said in a statement earlier this week. “Ensure your vehicles are rain and snow ready.”

Access will be open to many parts of the 676,000acre San Bernardino National Forest for the holiday weekend, but some road closures are still in effect due to the recent winter storms, which dumped more than two feet of snow in some locations.

Information on closures is available at https:// www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sbnf/conditions/?cidFSEPRD538928.

“Check the weather for your destination, road conditions and tire chain requirements,” the USFS said. “Check tire pressures and tread. Top off windshield fluid. Carry tire chains, an ice scraper, an extra blanket, water and provisions in your car in case you get stuck.”

The agency said hikers and climbers planning to head into the “back country” -- off the beaten path -need to “exercise extreme caution and travel in groups, if possible.”

Rangers said avalanches are not outside the realm of possibility in some spots.

Another storm system is bound for the inland region, though forecasters are not predicting heavy precipitation for the duration of the inclement weather, which is expected to arrive Sunday night and exit Wednesday.

Visitors can contact USFS ranger stations for more details about conditions.

The San Jacinto Ranger District can be reached at 909-382-2921.