Due to increased fire threat, Riverside County Fire Chief Bill Weiser closed six hazardous hiking areas on Monday. The closures will remain in effect until further notice.
Weiser received approval from the Riverside County Board of Directors to close Eagle Canyon/Tin Mine (east of Corona), Steel Peak (north of Lake Elsinore), Bautista Canyon (southeast of Hemet), North Mountain (south of Banning, north of San Jacinto), Whitewater Canyon (east of Cabazon), and Ramon Bowl (south of Hemet). Ramona Bowl will be open daily from sunrise to 12 p.m.
Riverside County Ordinance 787.9 restricts public access to these areas unless private party access is required. Public roadway travel is permitted providing travel is confined to those surfaces within hazardous fire areas. Those violating the ordinance may be subject to a fine of $100 for first-time offenses.
For more additional information on the closed areas, contact the Public Affairs and Community Education Bureau at 951-940-6985.
