Los Padres National Forest

Current Conditions

ONGOING FIRES & EMERGENCIES

Fire restrictions have been lifted on the Los Padres National Forest. To report an emergency, please dial 911.

Please check the Incident Information System (InciWeb) for information about current wildfires in the Pacific Southwest Region, including the Los Padres National Forest.

The National Interagency Fire Center Wildland Fire Update is published daily during fire season and provides current information on the national wildland fire situation and more.

Additional information on fire conditions can be found on the Pacific Southwest Region Fire & Aviation web site.

Due to safety hazards resulting from the Basin, Indians and Chalk Fires, most of the Monterey Ranger District, including the entire Ventana Wilderness, will remain closed to public entry through the winter. Hazards include falling trees and limbs, rockslides, and the potential for mudslides and flash flooding. Or check the News Release

CHALK FIRE AREA

Los Padres National Forest has received a total of $324,292 to fund the emergency treatments described in the BAER initial assessment (pdf 259kb) - October 29, 2008.

BASIN COMPLEX & INDIANS FIRE AREA

Forest Service Releases Approved Burned Area Emergency Response Report for Basin Complex and Indians Fires September 26

Approved Initial BAER Report for the Basin Indians Fires (pdf 195kb)

Burned Area Emergency Response Facts - August 2008 (pdf 39kb)

GAP FIRE AREA

Hydromulch has been applied by aircraft to about 1500 acres in the Gap Fire area. Hydromulch is an all-organic mix of paper/wood fiber, water and a binding substance. It helps hold the soil in place to minimize erosion, trap moisture and create an environment in which the native seeds and roots already present in the soil can sprout. The green dye in the hydromulch helps the pilots see where they have made their drops, but the color will fade to a light brown within a short period of time. The treated areas will be closed to all public entry for the first year to protect the hydromulch cover.

• Forest Service Reduces Gap Area Closure; Some Popular Areas May Remain Off-limits Through Fall 2009 - News Release
• Gap Fire Hydromulch Project Completed on National Forest Land
• Hydromulch Progress Report (pdf 27kb)
• Burned Area Emergency Response Facts (pdf 608kb)
• Aerial Hydromulching of Gap Fire Area to Begin September 24
• Hydromulch Unit Map (pdf 377kb)
• Burned Area Emergency Response - News Release
• Burned Area Emergency Response - Initial Assessment (pdf 293kb)
• More information about the Burned Area Emergency Response program

Emergency Watershed Protection - www.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/ewp/

More stable ridgetop trails and roads make for easier hiking in the Zaca Fire area.
Photo credit: Paul Cronshaw, FS Volunteer

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Zaca Fire Area Open

Trail Damage Extensive; Use Caution
Los Padres National Forest officials today announced that the area burned by the Zaca Fire, closed to public entry since the fire began in July 2007, will be reopened at noon, April 4. "The trail system has sustained extensive damage and the public is urged to use extreme caution when traveling in the affected area," said Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez.
news release »
more photos »

FOREST ROADS AND TRAILS

Road and trail conditions are constantly changing. The website is kept as current as possible, but for the latest information contact the District Offices. Most offices are open 8:00am to 4:30pm all year long with some district offices open on one or both days of the weekend.
District Office hours, phone numbers and locations.

Many unsurfaced roads in Los Padres National Forest are closed to vehicles during wet weather. Please contact the Ranger District office nearest your destination for current conditions and closures.

There have been recent sitings of mountain lions on Santa Barbara Front Country trails. Please familiarize yourself with these safety tips at the California Fish & Game site.

Road and Trail Closures

Mt. Pinos Ranger District Road and Trail Closures
Call the District Office at (661) 245-3731 for more information.

Mt. Pinos Ranger District road and trail closures for the winter season.

A safety advisory has been posted for the Dry Canyon area of northern Ventura County warning the public about the possible presence of unexploded military ordnance. Located north of Lockwood Valley Road and east of Highway 33, Dry Canyon was the site of a World War II era artillery training range. More info »

Ojai Ranger District Road and Trail Closures
Call the District Office at (805) 646-4348 for more information.

Recovery is evident in this area just east of Kerr Springs on the Sespe River Trail in the Sespe Wilderness.

It was burned in the Day Fire of 2006.

Ojai Ranger District road and trail closures for the winter season.

Trails
An eight mile section of the Red Reef Trail (Forest Trail 20W30) is closed from the Sespe River Trail junction in T6N, R21W, and Sec. 36 to the Last Chance Trail junction at T5N, R21W, Sec. 16 due to a landslide.
A three mile section of the Sespe River Trail (Forest Trail 20W08) is closed from ½ mile east of Coltrell Camp to Shady Camp due to a major rock slide.
The Gene Marshall-Piedra Blanca Trail is clear of trees from Piedra Blanca Trailhead to Pine Mtn Lodge Camp. The river crossings on the Sespe River Trail are easily passable. There is also significant trail damage from silt and debris at the Sespe Hot Springs. If hiking on the Sespe River Trail, please take a 7.5 minute map or a Harrison's Sespe Wilderness map. There are trees down between Maple and Middle Matilija Campgrounds which make this section of the trail impassable to stock.

Other trail Conditions:
Most of the trails are in good shape. The lack of water will be an issue in the upcoming months. Check with the Ojai Ranger Station on the status of water availability at the backcountry camps. Poodle Dog Bush is growing on the Red Reef, Sespe and Johnson Ridge Trails. It is a "fire follower" and causes a skin reaction that is similar to poison oak. Rattlesnakes are still active and are moving about on many of the trails in the forest, so please use caution when hiking or camping
The Pothole Trail - the gate is locked at the second boat launching ramp at Lake Piru. This adds about 2 miles to get to the trailhead. The first five miles of the trail were burned in the Ranch Fire. The trail is flagged and marked with carsonite signs.

Scheduled Volunteer Events:
First Saturday of the Month - Volunteer Trail Day. Meet at 1190 East Ojai Avenue in Ojai by 8:30 am. Bring a daypack, lunch, water, sunscreen, gloves, eye protection, hat, camera and wear sturdy shoes. The project involves brushing the trail and light treadwork. The group hikes three to five miles round-trip. The Forest Service provides tools, instruction and drinks. It's a fun day!

Santa Barbara Ranger District Road and Trail Closures
Call the District Office at (805) 967-3481 for more information.

As of December 31, 2008 at 1500 hrs the gate at Divide Peak on the Camuesa road will be open. The gate across the road at the Pendola station and leading to Big Caliente Hot springs will also be open. These openings give access to Mid Santa Ynez campground, Rock Creek campground, and the Big Caliente hot springs. The gate at Mid Santa Ynez campground remains closed. Therefore motor vehicle access is denied to PBar and Mono campgrounds (which remain open to foot traffic.)

Santa Barbara Ranger District road closures for the winter season.

Buckhorn Road at the Buckhorn / Camuesa intersection is closed due to the Zaca Fire closure order.

Santa Ynez River Road (5N18) at the First Crossing Day Use Area and Romero Camuesa Road (5N15) just past Divide Peak OHV Route (Romero Saddle area), are closed in advance of storms or during high river flows.

The West Fork of Cold Springs Trail is impassable beyond Tangerine Falls.

Santa Lucia Ranger District Road and Trail Closures
Call the District Office at (805) 925-9538 for more information.

Santa Lucia Ranger District road and trail closures for the winter season.

Attention deer hunters: The American Canyon Campground road access is private. The landowner is willing to open the road to the public from the 2nd weekend of Deer Rifle Season until the end of Deer Rifle Season. Please respect private land and drive only to the American Canyon Campground.

Sisquoc trail travelers please be advised of an area that has become virtually impassable by foot as well as by horsback. The Sisquoc trail (27W07) about 2 miles downstream (west) of South Fork Camp, has an area where the trail has totally failed. It is several hundred feet above the river and extends about 10-15 yards. DO NOT TRY TO CROSS THIS SECTION. There is no practical detour at this point.

Wet Weather Road Closures
Many roads/trails are closed during the rainy season prior to and for several days after rain events. Please contact the Santa Lucia Ranger District for up to date specific closure information at 805-925-9538.

Monterey Ranger District Road and Trail Closures
Call the District Office at (831) 385-5434 for more information.

Modified District Closure - See December 2, News Release

WEATHER

Monterey District (coastal side)
Monterey District (inland-King City side)

Santa Lucia District

Santa Barbara District

Ojai District

LINKS TO OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES FOR ROAD INFO AND RAINFALL IN THE SANTA BARBARA AREA

California Department of Transportation has a 1-800-427-7623 phone number to call for highway conditions, or visit the CalTrans website. CalTrans News Releases and Construction Reports.

California Highway Patrol has a Traffic Incident Page for highway closures and/or other problems.

National Weather Service Rainfall Totals

Santa Barbara County storm watch information during significant rainfall

Santa Barbara County Flood Control Morning Rainfall Totals

US Forest Service - Los Padres National Forest
Last Modified: 12/31/08