Pass Area Hiking Trails Closed Until Further Notice

BANNING, CA — Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser recently received approval from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to close six hazardous hiking areas throughout the region, starting Sunday.

“In the interest of public safety and wildfire prevention, access to these hiking areas is temporarily restricted to protect nearby communities and reduce the likelihood of catastrophic fire events,” stated Fire Chief Weiser.

Riverside County Ordinance 787.9 restricts public access to these identified hazardous fire areas unless access is required for a private party. Public roadway travel is permitted, provided travel is confined to those surfaces within the dangerous fire area.

Those violating the ordinance may be subject to a minimum fine of $100 for first-time offenses.

Future closures may be implemented based upon weather conditions, fuel moisture and increased fire threats. Maps for each of the affected areas can be located at tinyurl.com/hikingclosures.

The closures will remain in effect until further notice in the following trails and areas in Riverside County:

• Eagle Canyon/Tin Mine (east of Corona)
• Steel Peak (north of Lake Elsinore)
• Bautista Canyon (southeast of Hemet)
• North Mountain (south of Banning, north of San Jacinto)
• Whitewater Canyon (east of Cabazon)
• Ramona Bowl (south of Hemet) *Open daily from sunrise until noon

For additional information on areas closed to the public, please don't hesitate to contact the Public Affairs and Community Education Bureau at 951-940-6985.