Riverside County Fire Chief Shawn C. Newman received approval from the Riverside County Board of Supervisors to immediately close seven hazardous fire areas throughout the region. The closures will remain in effect until further notice in the following areas:
- Avery Canyon (Gibbel Road east of State Street in Hemet)
- North Mountain and Indian Canyon (San Jacinto area)
- Whitewater Canyon (Cabazon, north of Palm Springs)
- Nuevo/Lakeview (east of Menifee Road and San Jacinto Avenue)
- Minto (Sage)
- Reinhart Canyon (north of State Highway 74 and California Avenue in Hemet)
- Ramona Bowl and Bautista Canyon (southeast of Hemet)
Riverside County Ordinance 787.9 restricts public assess to these areas unless private property access is required. Public roadway travle is permitted providing travel is confined to those surfaces within hazardous fire areas. Violators maybe subject to a minimum fine of $100 for first-time offenses.
Future closures may be implemented based on weather conditions, fuel moisture, and increase fire threat. Maps of each affected area can be viewed at http://www.rvcfire.com. For additional information, call 951-940-6985.