Riverside County authorizes closure to hiking sites

It was a unanimous vote to approve the closures in the central and southwest portions of the county, just likeevery year since 2007.
Like last year, Chief John Hawkins asked that the closures begin in May “because of the potential of dangerous fires in these areas,” according to a
Fire Department statement.
Dry conditions raise the risk of wildfires, and fighting them would be
a challenge, given the sites’ terrain and remote location, according to fire
officials.
The following locations fall under the county’s closure order:
Avery Canyon, along Gibbel Road, east of State Street in southeast
Hemet; Indian Canyon and North Mountain in San Jacinto;Minto Way in Sage, north of Aguanga; Nuevo, east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue;Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon in southeast Hemet;Reinhardt Canyon, north of state Route 74 and California Avenue in Hemet; andWhitewater Canyon in Cabazon.
The chances of sparking a wildfire areless where foot and vehicle
traffic is minimized, according to the Fire Department.
Closure signs will be posted at entry points to warn potential violators
of fines and other penalties. Residentsin or near the locations will
be allowed to come and go as usual.
The closures are expected to last for the duration of Southern California’s fire season, which generally ends in November.