Labor Day vacationers warned to be careful.

[view:node_ad=5]With fairly warm temperatures expected to continue
throughout the Labor Day Weekend, the Angeles
National Forest is anticipating
tens of thousands of visitors this holiday weekend. Forest
visitors are urged to come prepared with the proper outdoor gear and arrive
early, as many of the Forests’ 60 campgrounds and numerous day-use areas will
be at or near capacity.

The Fire Danger Level on the Angeles
National Forest is currently “Very
High” and visitors are asked to remain conscientious and situationally aware
while visiting the Forest .  Open wood and charcoal
fires are permitted in developed campgrounds and picnic areas only, where fire
rings and grills are provided. Gas and propane stoves and grills are permitted
in non-developed areas with a valid California Campfire Permit.  The “Very
High” Fire Danger Level is the fourth in a six-level, graduated fire danger
rating system on the Angeles and a variety of factors determine the level,
including the moisture in vegetation, weather conditions and firefighting
equipment needs due to regional and national response activities. 

Over the Labor Day weekend, some city and county
jurisdictions that are adjacent to the Forest are
joining the Angeles in limiting some roads to walk-in traffic only. Glendora
Mountain Road will be closed to vehicles starting
Friday, August 29, around 10:00 a.m.Chantry
Flat Road (formally Santa
Anita Canyon )
will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
and will reopen the morning of Tuesday, September 2nd. Bicycle and foot travel
will be allowed.  The gate at the entrance to

“Know Before You Go” to the Angeles
National Forest . Find out about
local conditions at your destination prior to leaving by contacting the
following offices:

Forest Supervisor’s Office* – Arcadia
, (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ) 626-574-1613

Los Angeles River Ranger District* (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ) 818-899-1900

Clear Creek Information Station* (Sat & Sun 8:00 am-4:30 pm ) 626-821-6764

San Gabriel River Ranger District* (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ) 626-335-1251

San Gabriel Canyon
Gateway Center
(Daily 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ) 626-969-1012

Mount Baldy
Visitor Center
(Daily 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ) 909-982-2829

Santa Clara-Mojave Rivers Ranger District* (M-F 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ) 661-296-9710

Big Pines Information Station (F-Sun. 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ) 760-249-3504

Grassy Hollow Visitor
Center (F-Sun 10:00 am to 4:00 pm )

* These offices will be closed on Labor Day, September 1, 2008 .