Nine national forests were ordered closed for a couple of weeks by the federal officials as the Northern California wildfires continue to damage more locations.
The closure is meant to safeguard firefighters as well as the public.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, the temporary closure will start at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 6, Sunday.
Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien signed the order on Thursday and CalFire started its dissemination the following day.
Officials said that the closure is intended to ease some stress in terms of firefighter resources throughout the county.
Included in the locations covered by the temporary closure are the Tahoe National Forest, Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit, Plumas National Forest, and the Lassen National Forest.
The Mendocino National Forest, Klamath National Forest, Six Rivers National Forest, Shasta-Trinity National Forest, and the Modoc National Forest were also included.
The public is not allowed to access these areas during the temporary closure period.
But there are individuals who are exempted by the order to access the sites including the residents who are going in for necessities; landowners or lessees; as well as persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order).
Also allowed to enter the locations are any federal, state or local officer, or rescue and firefighting members who render their services; individuals with a Forest Service special use authorization for non-recreational special use like electric transmission or communications site; and recreational activities like timber harvesting, livestock grazing, or any access to forest products.
Individuals who are doing business or trade can use the National Forest System roads to carry out their tasks, KRON4 reported.
A fine of not more than $5, 000 per individual or $10, 000 for a group, or not more than 6-month imprisonment, or both, can be faced by anyone who will defy the prohibitions.
