The entire Angeles National Forest will be temporarily closed to the public through January 15 as the area is affected by the Eaton Fire burning nearby, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service.
It will be closed from January 8 to 15 “for public safety and the protection of natural resources,” according to an alert on the USDA website.
Officials have issued a number of actions that will also be prohibited within ANF lands and San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, including being anywhere on ANF land, road or trail.
State, federal and local officials or people who work with organized rescue or fire forces are exempt from the order. In addition, those with a Forest Service Permit that allows them to use roads, trails or areas restricted by regulations are exempt.
Officials say violation of these bans is punishable by a prison sentence of up to six months or a fine of up to $5,000 for individuals and up to $10,000 for an organization.
A full list of the areas affected by the week-long closure can be found here.
The announcement comes as several devastating forest fires is burning throughout Los Angeles County, including the Eaton Fire which has burned more than 10,000 acres in the canyons above Altadena and Pasadena, and is encroaching on Mount Wilson.
