San Bernardino National Forest

Newsroom

2009 News Releases

• Bald Eagles seen in Local Mountains - On Saturday January 10th, the first bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local Federal and State biologists and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. (01/10)
     

2008 News Releases
 

• Humber Park will be Closed to Snowplay Over the Weekend - Humber Park located on the San Jacinto Ranger District in Idyllwild will be closed for snowplay this weekend, December 20-21, until further notice. Due to the recent snow events of December 15-18, there is currently only one lane open and no parking spaces exist. The closure has been issued for the safety of the public. (12/19)
   

• Winter Wonderland Arrives on the San Bernardino National Forest, Mountain visitors are urged to be prepared for snowy and icy conditions and recreate safely on the forest - The recent storms left 2-3 feet of snow across the San Bernardino Mountains and the San Jacinto Mountains on the San Bernardino National Forest. As the lure of the mountainous winter wonderland appeals to citizens across the southland, the Forest Service is asking visitors to “know before they go” by calling the local offices for current information on conditions around the forest. (12/18)
   

• Volunteers needed to count Bald Eagles - Volunteers are needed to help the Forest Service count Bald Eagles this winter in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Volunteers are stationed at various vantage points around the mountain lakes where they map and note any eagle observations during a 1-hour period on a Saturday morning. This is the 30th year that the San Bernardino National Forest has organized monthly winter bald eagle counts. (12/03)
   

• Fire Restrictions Reduced on the San Bernardino National Forest, effective December 3 - With the recent significant rainfall and cooler temperatures across the southland, the San Bernardino National Forest will reduce fire restrictions on the forest effective Wednesday, Dec. 3. (12/02)
   

• Winter Pile Burning underway on the San Bernardino National Forest - Fire crews have started winter pile burning at various locations across the San Bernardino National Forest. The favorable change in weather now provides opportunities to resume annual winter pile burning activities on hazardous fuels reduction projects within the forest. Smoke and flame may be occasionally visible from the roadways, firefighters will have “prescribed fire” signs posted in project areas. The winter burning program will continue through early spring as weather and conditions permit. (11/26)
   

• New Fire Restrictions in Effect for San Bernardino National Forest - Due to extremely dry conditions, potential for strong winds, coupled with recent wildfire activity throughout southern California, the San Bernardino National Forest announced today an increase in fire restrictions. (11/18)
   

• National Forests Honor Veterans Day with a “Free Day” -Adventure Pass will not be required on National Forests in Southern California on Tuesday, November 11 — In honor of America’s Veterans and Armed Services personnel, Tuesday, November 11, will be a “Fee Free Day” on the national forests in Southern California. (11/03)
   

• San Bernardino National Forest prepared for Santa Ana winds this week – In preparation for forecasted Santa Ana winds this week the San Bernardino National Forest remains at a high state of readiness and is bolstering its fire response readiness with additional firefighters, aircraft, and extended patrols. (10/20)
   

• Forest Service Releases Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Moonridge Animal Park Relocation - The San Bernardino National Forest has completed a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Moonridge Animal Park Relocation project. (10/14)
   

• Big Bear Greenthumbs Release 2009 Volunteer Project Schedule -The Big Bear Greenthumbs have released their 2009 volunteer project schedule. The Greenthumbs are a group of volunteers that assist the San Bernardino National Forest by restoring disturbed lands through activities at the Big Bear Ranger Station’s Native Plant Nursery and Restoration Program. (10/10)
   

• Additional Forest Service Firefighters in Southern California for Santa Ana Winds - In preparation for forecasted Santa Ana winds this weekend the Forest Service is bolstering its fire response readiness with additional firefighters, aircraft, and extended patrols. This Sunday and Monday, weather forecasts are calling for the first Santa Ana wind event of the year. In response, local forests are staffing firefighters for 24 hour shifts and 20 additional engines, 12 heavy air tankers, and six Sky Crane helitankers have been moved into the area to assist with initial attack. Additionally, the Forest Service has requested the Air National Guard provide two Modular Airborne Fire Fighting System (MAFFS) equipped C-130 aircraft to assist with potential firefighting needs. (10/09)
   

• Road Repairs set to begin on the San Bernardino National Forest - The San Bernardino National Forest set to begin road repairs on several projects throughout the national forest, damaged during last winter’s storm. Visitors should exercise extreme caution in the construction zones, watch for heavy equipment operating in the area. Visitors also need to heed all posted signs, look for uneven surfaces and open trenches along the roadways in the construction zones. (10/03)
   

• Visitor Use Survey Underway on San Bernardino National Forest - The Cleveland, Los Padres and San Bernardino National Forests (NF) are participating in a one-year visitor survey called the National Visitor Use Monitoring (NVUM). This survey process, done in partnership with the California State University San Marcos, will have interviewers stationed at pre-selected points in each forest from October 2008 to September 2009.(10/02)
   

• Fee Free Weekend for Day Use Visitors to the Southern California National Forests - September 27 and 28 mark a “Fee Free” weekend for day-use visitors to the San Bernardino National Forest. The Forest is celebrating the annual National Public Lands Day, held each year on the last Saturday in September, as well as this year’s special initiative, “This Land Is Your Land,” geared to engage new Americans in volunteerism on public lands. (09/19)
   

• San Sevaine Road Re-Opens -The Front Country Ranger District to re-open Forest Road 1N34 (San Sevaine Road) on Sunday, September 21, 2008 from Lytle Creek Road to the Joe Elliott Campground (09/15)
   

• Labor Day Weekend expected to be busy on the San Bernardino National Forest - The San Bernardino National Forest is prepared for the upcoming holiday weekend. Labor Day marks the traditional end of summer as many families get ready for the start of the school year.  (08/25)
   

• Seven Arrested during Marijuana Plantation Raids on the San Bernardino National Forest - Federal, state and local law enforcement agents arrested a total of seven individuals and seized over 60,000 marijuana plants valued at approximately 20 million dollars on the San Bernardino National Forest last week. (08/18)
   

• Fire Near Forest Falls was Sparked by Illegal Campfire - Firefighters quickly contained the Big Falls wildfire to one-quarter (1/4) acre near Forest Falls on Monday. The wildfire, reported at early Monday morning, was determined to be caused by an escaped illegal campfire. (08/13)
   

• US Forest Service Reopens Pacific Crest Trail near Big Bear - The seven mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail above Fawnskin was closed as a result of damage from the Butler II and Slide fires last fall. The Trail is now open to hiking and equestrian use. (08/07)
   

• Authorities Seize Nearly 20,000 Marijuana Plants on the San Bernardino National Forest - Federal, state and local law enforcement agents seized 19,951 marijuana plants this week from three areas of San Bernardino National Forest in Riverside County. The estimated street value of the marijuana is more than $60 million. (07/25)
   

• US Forest Service Reopens Grays Peak Trail near Big Bear - The San Bernardino National Forest has reopened the popular Grays Peak Trail in the Big Bear Valley.   The Grays Peak Trail was damaged during the wildfires last fall and was closed to the public due to safety concerns. (07/25)
   

• US Forest Service Releases Report on Effectiveness of Fuel Treatments during the 2007 Grass Valley Fire - The two-part report covers fire behavior, suppression effectiveness, and structure ignition. Researchers assessed the effectiveness of fuels treatments in the fire area and how home vulnerability and ignition exposure contributed to home destruction. (07/22)
  Grass Valley Fuel Effectiveness (4.1mb PDF)       Home Destruction Examination (2.9mb PDF)
   

• Ridge Fire near Yucaipa Declared 100% Contained - Firefighters battling the Ridge Fire near Yucaipa have declared the fire 100% contained yesterday at 6:00 p.m. Fire Officials stated full control should be expected later in the week as firefighters continue to mop up hot spots within the fire perimeter. (07/07)
   
• Fire Restrictions to take effect on National Forest - San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Jeanne Wade Evans announced today that she is implementing additional fire restrictions on the forest as of Thursday, June 26.  (06/24)
   
• National Trails Day, Saturday June 7, is a Free Day on the San Bernardino National Forest -National Trails Day is a “Free Day” in the southern California national forests. No Adventure Pass is required for use of High Impact Recreation Areas or day-use sites on Saturday, June 7. (06/03)
   
• Memorial Weekend Marks the Start of the Summer Recreation Season on the San Bernardino National Forest - Most of the recreation sites on the San Bernardino National Forest will be open for forest visitors by Memorial Day weekend.  (05/21)
   
• Forest Service Prepares for the 2008 Fire Season - The 2008 wildfire season has arrived in California and the US Forest Service is prepared with more than 4,000 firefighters statewide. (05/16)
   
• Pacific Crest Trail on the San Jacinto Wilderness to Re-Open Following Apache Fire - District Ranger Laurie Rosenthal announced today that the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the San Jacinto Wilderness will be opened to public entry starting Saturday, May 17. The PCT was closed on April 29 due to the Apache Fire. (05/14)
   
• “Passport in Time” Transports Volunteers Back to Ancient Serrano Sites -The San Bernardino National Forest is co-hosting, along with the Angeles National Forest, a two-week volunteer-based archeological project the weeks of April 21–May 2, 2008. (04/24)
   
• Bonita Vista Prescribed Fire Planned to Resume Week of April 28th - The San Jacinto Ranger District is continuing with the prescribed fire on the Bonita Vista project, located two miles north of Lake Hemet. Fire crews plan to burn 40-50 acres within the K Flat area starting the week of April 28th and may extend into the following week of May 5th. (04/24)
   
• Public Meetings Planned for Post-Fire Fuels Reduction Project in Butler 2 and Slide Fire Areas - The San Bernardino National Forest has scheduled two Open House meetings, one in Running Springs and another in Big Bear, to present a plan for a community protection and fuels reduction project in the Butler 2 and Slide wildfire burned areas. (04/15)
   
• Lone Pine Canyon Project Fuels Treatment Project Set to Resume Wednesday - The Front Country Ranger District is planning to resume work on the Lone Pine Canyon fuels treatment project tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16. The burning should be completed in approximately three days, weather conditions permitting. Smoke will be visible from I-15, Highway 138 and surrounding communities. (04/15)
   
• San Bernardino National Forest announces new Deputy Forest Supervisor - Thomas F. Gillett has been selected as the new deputy Forest Supervisor of the San Bernardino National Forest (NF). He is currently the district ranger on the Descanso District of the Cleveland National Forest in Alpine, California. Tom Gillett’s report date is yet to be determined. He fills behind former Deputy Forest Supervisor Max Copenhagen who retired in January.(04/03)
   
• Splinter’s Cabin Access Road Closed Due to Winter Storm Damage - Significant rainfall and run off in Little Bear Creek has damaged the road crossing on the popular Splinter’s Cabin access road on the Mountaintop Ranger District. The recent storms undermined the road crossing of the creek, which is now unsafe for motor vehicles. The road will be closed to motor vehicles until further notice until repairs are completed. (04/02)
   
• Lone Pine Canyon Project - The Front Country Ranger District is planning to resume work on the Lone Pine Canyon fuels treatment project using both hand and helicopter burning operations, beginning on Monday, March 24, 2008. (03/21)
   
• Bald Eagles Seen on the San Bernardino Mountains - On Saturday March 8, the fourth and final bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local land management agencies and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Three eagles (1 adults, 2 immatures) were observed in the Big Bear Basin. The March average for Big Bear counts since 1978 is ten. Thirty-eight volunteers participated in the 1-hour eagle census. (03/08)
   
• Fire Restrictions Reduced on the San Bernardino National Forest, Fire Danger Level has changed to “Low” - Significant rainfall and snow across the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains has reduced the risk of wildland fire on the San Bernardino National Forest effective Saturday, February 16th. (02/14)
   
• Bald Eagles Seen on the San Bernardino Mountains - On Saturday February 9, the third bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local land management agencies and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Six eagles (2 adults, 4 immatures) were observed in the Big Bear Basin. The February average for Big Bear counts since 1978 is 13. Forty-nine volunteers participated in the 1-hour eagle census. (02/09)
   
• Volunteers Needed to Count Bald Eagles - Eagle Counts for this winter have been scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: February 9, and March 8. The third bald eagle count for this winter is scheduled for Saturday morning, February 9th. Volunteers are needed for the counts--they are stationed at various vantage points around the lakes where they map and note any eagle observations during the 1-hour period from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (02/06)
   
• Volunteers Wanted for Bighorn Sheep Survey - Volunteers are needed on March 1 and 2, 2008  to assist in the annual survey of bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel Mountains. The California Department of Fish and Game, San Bernardino National Forest, and the Society for Conservation of Bighorn Sheep have conducted annual surveys for bighorn sheep in the San Gabriel range since 1979. (01/31)
   
• Bald Eagles Seen in San Bernardino Mountains - On Saturday January 12, the second bald eagle count of the winter was conducted by local land management agencies and volunteers around lakes in the San Bernardino and San Jacinto Mountains. Three eagles (2 adults, 1 immature) were observed in the Big Bear Basin. The January average for Big Bear counts since 1978 is 16. 25 volunteers participated in the 1-hour eagle census. (01/12)
   
• Volunteers Needed to Count Bald Eagles - Eagle Counts for this winter have been scheduled for the following Saturday mornings: January 12, February 9, and March 8. The second bald eagle count for this winter is scheduled for Saturday morning, January 12th. Volunteers are needed for the counts--they are stationed at various vantage points around the lakes where they map and note any eagle observations during the 1-hour period from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. (01/07)