Angeles National Forest Reopens Following 10-Day Closure

The bulk of Angeles National Forest reopened for public access Friday after a 10-day forest closure order issued late last month due to fire danger and the massive Bobcat Fire expired, authorities said.

The forest, along with six other California national forests, were ordered closed on Sept.30 as hot and dry weather created high fire risk, and firefighting resources were already spread thin with massive blazes locally and throughout the state.

As of Friday, firefighters had built containment lines around 90% of the Bobcat Fire, which had scorched 115,796 acres, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

With the expiration of the closure order, the Angeles National Forest is again welcoming visitors, officials said.

Burn areas remained closed as a safety precaution, as well as to allow for recovery and restoration of the burned areas.

Fire risk in the forest remained “extreme,” prohibiting the use of campfires or stoves.