Riverside County to close six hiking areas, suspend outdoor residential burning Monday

Ema Sasic, Palm Springs Desert Sun
·2 min read
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Cal Fire crews work to put out hot spots left over from the Water Fire at Whitewater Canyon Preserve, August 3, 2020.
Cal Fire crews work to put out hot spots left over from the Water Fire at Whitewater Canyon Preserve, August 3, 2020.

Riverside County is taking steps to protect the region during fire season, including closing six hiking areas and suspending all burn permits for outdoor residential burning beginning Monday.

The hiking areas that will be closed include:

  • Eagle Canyon/Tin Mine (east of Corona)

  • Steel Park (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 to noon

These closures will remain in effect until further notice, according to Cal Fire. Those violating the ordinance may face a minimum fine of $100 for first-time offenses.

Future closures may be implemented due to weather conditions, fuel moisture and increased fire threat, Cal Fire said. Maps of affected areas can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/hikingclosures

Also starting Monday is the suspension of open burning in Riverside County. The order takes effect 8 a.m. Monday and bans all residential outdoor burning of landscape debris, such as branches and leaves. Agricultural burning is allowed in the Palo Verde Valley and Coachella Valley.

With dry and hot weather conditions in the region, the order is one way the county is hoping to combat fire danger during wildfire season.

"California wildfires continue to threaten our communities," Cal Fire Director Chief Joe Tyler said in a statement. "With the conditions set for an early start of the 2022 fire season, it is imperative that we collectively take preventative steps now to prepare, and we ask all Californians to do their part in wildfire preparedness."

Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser added: "As we enter the summer months, we are experiencing critical fire behavior due to warmer temperatures and tinder-dry vegetation. We urge residents to comply with this suspension until I determine that it is safe to resume open burning."

Cal Fire is encouraging residents to prepare their home for a wildfire:

  • Clear all dead and/or dying vegetation 100 feet from structures

  • Landscape with fire-resistant plants and non-flammable ground cover

  • Find alternative ways to dispose of landscape debris, such as chipping or taking items to a biomass energy or green waste facility

The burn permit suspension does not apply to campfires within organized campgrounds, for which a permit is required, or on private property.

Ema Sasic covers health in the Coachella Valley. Reach her at ema.sasic@desertsun.com or on Twitter @ema_sasic.

This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Riverside County to close six hiking areas as fire season precaution