Ongoing wildfires have prompted forest officials to issue a temporary closure of all of the National Forests in the Pacific Southwest Region of California. It began yesterday (Aug. 31) and runs through Sept. 17. The USDA Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region made the decision to limit the number of people visiting the national forests to minimize the number of visitors who could be trapped in an area during “emergency circumstances,” according to a press release. 

“We do not take this decision lightly but this is the best choice for public safety,” said Regional Forester Jennifer Eberlien. “It is especially hard with the approaching Labor Day weekend, when so many people enjoy our national forests.”

The temporary closure will hopefully also decrease the chance of additional fire starts as firefighters continue to fight blazes in the area, especially as current weather conditions are ripe for additional fires.

The Humboldt-Toivabe National Forest remains open because it is not located in the same region.

For a list of those exempt from the temporary closure, click here.