CA- Multiple Forests-CLOSURE ORDER

California & Hawaii Hotlist Questions and Discussion
#65

As someone who lives adjacent to USFS land, it feels silly that I can’t legally walk, run or MTB on that land. As someone with a long-time family cabin currently threatened by the Caldor, I can also see why the USFS would want to hit the brakes and give themselves as much maneuvering room as possible over the next few weeks. I can think of many solutions I’d consider to be “better” than the current closure, because they involve nuance - but I also understand that nuance is not easy to pull off on short notice.

This is the second year in a row of forest-wide closures, it’s pretty clear they will become a new normal. The USFS pulled a big red handle because that was one of the only tools in their box, and I’m glad I’m not the one who had to make that decision. I do hope they will take the off season to develop more tools. Possibly a sliding scale of activities going from open flame to overnight camping to day use. Possibly closing more remote, hard-to-egress areas while still allowing access from trailheads at public roadways. Possibly something else, I’m not a public policy expert. But it does seem like they’d benefit from developing some kind of progressive public safety closure plan for future years.

7 Likes
#66

Everyone thinks they’re the exception to the rule. The diamond in the ruff. The reason the stage was built. The subject of the world’s spotlight.

Murphey never applies his Law to them, because they’re above it. Perfection. The Rona runs away at their mighty health and stamina.

Rules for thee, but not for me, for I am free.

20 Likes
#67

Of course they do. SAR groups are active all over. I call into question the reason for closing National Forest and SPI lands in California. Fires started by human in these areas are few.

#68

They may be few but one more is one more too many…

1 Like
#69

SPI closed their lands, and trails, in Tahoe early last month, citing fire hazards. Seems proactive to me.

6 Likes
#71

This:

Leading to this:

See more here:

1 Like
#72

That is it in a nutshell, norcal. Does not apply to me beacuse , because I am me and “I” will do what I want."

4 Likes
#74

SPI is private land–they can close it whenever they want, without a reason. I wouldn’t lump their closure in with public lands, but that’s just my .02.

5 Likes
#75

From the Sac Bee, The USFS has announced closure of all national forests in California through at least through at least September 17. (They’ve doped the paywall, so you can access it without a subscription.)

3 Likes
#77

I feel it is a safety issue and I am glad they did it. Be Safe, Plan and pack.

2 Likes
#79

Is there a significant fire weather event expected? And “because it’s dry” is not an event

1 Like
#80

RFW in effect Mon- Wed
Multiple large fires
All forests at or below drawdown
It would be one thing if it was just the weather. Maybe the weather and Multiple large fires.
But EVERY forest in California is at/below drawdown. The Caldor fire has outstanding orders for 50+ STEN and the Calvary isn’t coming and it’s heading for Tahoe.

9 Likes
#81

Here is the email that the regional forester sent to her employees today:

Teammates,

I have made the difficult decision to temporarily close all R5 National Forests in order to better provide public and firefighter safety due to extreme fire conditions throughout the state, and strained firefighting resources throughout the country. This closure will be effective on Tuesday August 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. through September 17, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. This order does not affect the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, which is not in the Pacific Southwest Region.
By temporarily reducing the numbers of people on National Forests during this extreme threat, this Regional Order will minimize the likelihood that visitors could become trapped on National Forest System lands during emergency circumstances, decrease the potential for new fire starts at a time of extremely limited firefighting resources, and enhance firefighter and community safety by limiting exposure that occurs in public evacuation situations, especially as COVID-19 continues to impact human health and strain hospital resources.
I do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety. It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests. Drought conditions, dry fuels, and winds make our initial attack and containment of fires very difficult and our resources are strained. These temporary closures are necessary to ensure public and firefighter safety, as well as reduce the potential for new fire starts.
The closure order will be promulgated later today.
The following persons are exempt from this Order:

  1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.

  2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.

  3. Persons with a Forest Service special use authorization for an electric transmission line, an oil or gas pipeline, communications site, or any other non-recreation special use.

  4. Persons with a Forest Service non-special-use written authorization to conduct non-recreational activities, such as harvesting timber or forest products, or grazing livestock.

  5. Owners or lessees of land, to the extent necessary to access their land.

  6. Residents, to the extent necessary to access their residences.

  7. Persons engaged in a business, trade, or occupation are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above, but may use National Forest System roads to the extent necessary to carry out their business, trade, or occupation.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge and thank our front liners, first responders, and all of our unsung heroes across our National Forests. This wildfire season continues unabated with nearly 11,000 federal firefighters assigned to California fires.
I also look to the events in Afghanistan and I am reminded of the men and women who deliberately choose professions that run toward danger and crisis. I have met so many dedicated and brave first responders over the years and I am continually humbled by their sense of sacrifice and duty to protect our communities. Today, take a moment to personally reach out to someone who’s on the front lines – check in on them, thank them, and be a willing, listening ear if needed.
It’s about taking care of one another. As such, there may be some of you who have been personally affected or displaced by the wildfires. Resources are available to Forest Service employees that include lodging, transportation, and per diem assistance, advance of salary payments, as well as resources for emotional support. Please see the attached for more information.
To close, I am thankful to serve in a community that values service, conservation, interdependence, diversity, and safety, and I am proud to be your Regional Forester.
With Utmost Gratitude,
Jennifer

14 Likes
#82

I am probably in the minority, and I get it, but this is a good call IMHO.

20 Likes
#83

I agree with it. I am an avid outdoorsmen and spend all of my non work time in the forest. But right now is not the time to be allowing people into the wilderness. We have no capacity for even one more fire. I am up on the sierra right now and it is tinder dry.

I still think about the chinooks flying over my house to get everyone out of mammoth pool last year. I had been up in tamarack OHV the weekend before and remember how many thousands of people could have been trapped, I was certain we were going to be on body recoveries for a month.

6 Likes
#84

I understand the reasoning but I’m afraid of the precedence it sets. I don’t foresee summers getting “better” in terms of fire resistance in the future and don’t want to see some of our public lands closed every summer/fall. It’s tough.

5 Likes
#85

For those of use that live in the forest…I do not think you are in the minority…I hike w/ my dogs everyday and I realize the conditions and agree with the decision…but after fighting fires for close to 40 years, I do not want to fight one at home.

11 Likes
#86

Maybe Forests are stretched on their own resources. Overhead on assignments, patrols and engines off Forest. Not enough resources to handle daily basic duties. I could understand that. Gives them a chance to check on their Forest health as September arrives. Not cool for visitors, but I see the logic. So somebody has to empty the trash cans and clean the campgrounds. Probably one rec or ologist to cover the whole forest.

4 Likes
#87

Nowhere I’ve seen this decision made based on precedent. It’s being made based on the now. And in the future, if and when the variables are the same as now, shut it down again. We need to stop being afraid of precedent. Handle the situation currently in front of our face, then move on.

Once we get a chance to slow down, and with the proper funding, maybe we can retool to better avoid the same decision when similar variables arrive again. Big wish, I know. But baby steps are happening with better wages etc.

12 Likes
#88

Precedent??? This has been done before. Its nothing new. Its so dry out there a grasshopper can’t spit. A Lizard has to carry a canteen. The guys and gals out there fighting this thing deserve a break. Im really tired of the complaining.

21 Likes