Valley Fire Closure Area announced

Contact(s): Zach Behrens

Officials with San Bernardino National Forest today announced a forest order creating the Valley Fire Closure Area. The order, effective Saturday, July 14, 2018, temporarily closes a portion of the San Gorgonio Wilderness to all entry due to hazards presented by the Valley Fire near Forest Falls, CA. The order will last until the fire is declared out or until officials re-evaluate conditions and make modifications.

The closure area includes trails, such as Vivian Creek, Momyer, San Bernardino Peak, Forsee Creek, South Fork and Aspen Grove. It does not affect areas outside the wilderness, such as the Big Falls Trail and the Falls Picnic Area. A map of the closure area is available online.

Nearly 650 firefighters from the U.S. Forest Service, CAL FIRE, San Bernardino County Fire and other cooperating agencies worked to slow the fire's spread over the last week, however extremely steep terrain and difficult access have prevented crews from achieving full containment. There are currently 472 personnel assigned to the incident.

Residents and visitors to the area will continue to see smoke for the coming weeks.

Hikers with questions about the closure can call the Mill Creek Visitor Center at 909-382-2882, Thursdays through Mondays. To keep updated on the Valley Fire, check InciWeb, the forest Twitter account and the Valley Fire Updates Facebook group.