Hiking and equestrian trails in Eaton Canyon and surrounding areas damaged in the Eaton fire will remain closed at until at least early next year, with a longer closure likely, officials said Thursday.
Prohibiting the hikers and horse riders in the area is necessary to maintain public safety and allow for the recovery of burned wild lands, according to the U.S. Forest Service
“Hikers who trespass onto fire-damaged trails can put themselves at risk from unstable terrain, fallen trees or trails that simply no longer exist,” Reserve Sheriff’s Deputy David Chien, who leads the Altadena Mountain Rescue Team, said in a statement. “Respecting closures is the best way to prevent injuries, being rescued and also helps the land to recover.”
Anyone who enters prohibited areas and trails in the Eaton Canyon Natural Area and the adjacent Angeles National Forest are subject to citations and fines, according to the Forest Service. Within Angeles National Forest boundaries, entering restricted areas is punishable by a fine up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization or up to six months in jail, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
“The Eaton Fire severely damaged trails and infrastructure, and the long-term closure of Eaton Canyon Natural Area helps keep the public safe and allows nature to heal burned areas,” Norma E. García-González, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation, said in a statement.
Other trails are available across the county, and users can find them at the LA County Parks website trails.lacounty.gov.
“We encourage visitors to take this opportunity to explore other areas of the forest this Memorial Day holiday and until the Eaton Canyon area reopens,” Angeles National Forest Supervisor Roman Torres said in a statement.
Additional information is on the Angeles National Forest website fs.usda.gov/r05/angeles.
The Eaton Fire erupted Jan. 7 amid fierce winds, destroying neighborhoods and scorching more than 14,000 acres in Altadena, Pasadena and Sierra Madre, according to Cal Fire. At least 18 people died in the blaze.
