The Angeles National Forest is temporarily closing weekend access to Millard Canyon Campground, starting Saturday, due to heightened public safety concerns related to the Lake and Ranch 2 fires, authorities said Friday.
The Chaney Trail gate will also be temporarily locked on weekends, according to the U.S. Forest Service, which noted that the fire danger level in the Angeles National Forest is currently elevated to "Extreme." The weekend closures "will remain in effect until the current high fire danger decreases or the mitigation measure is no longer needed.''
The temporary closure of the campground is currently limited to Saturdays and Sundays -- "when high visitor volume produces the greatest fire risk,'' the Forest Service reported."Weekday access will remain open, Monday through Friday.''
Amid the coronavirus pandemic, as people seek outdoor activities that allow for social distancing, recreation areas across the Angeles National Forest have been experiencing exceptionally high numbers of visitors.
"In the Millard Canyon Campground, visitor vehicles continue to exceed available parking,'' a forest service statement said. "Vehicle congestion and illegal parking on the narrow mountain roads has resulted in constricted roadways that block access by emergency crews and limits public egress in an emergency.''
Heat Tips
- Stay hydrated! The more hydrated you are, the more effective your body will be at keeping you cool. Drink water – not fizzy and alcoholic drinks, which will dehydrate you.
- Avoid exercise in the middle of the day. If you need to exercise outside, do it early in the morning when the temperature is lower.
- Wear lightweight, light-colored natural fabrics like cotton and linen, as these will help your skin breathe and let your sweat evaporate, cooling you down.
- We sweat around half a pint daily from both feet (and we wonder why they stink!), so if you can, wear sandals or flip-flops to let your foot sweat evaporate.
- Use a fan to circulate air from open windows. Keep your blinds or curtains drawn during the day, so your home doesn’t heat up while you’re out. Turn off big appliances and help prevent brown-outs!
- To cool down quickly, run your wrists under a cold tap or keep a water spray in the fridge for a quick cooling spritz to the face.
- Keep some wet wipes in your bag so you can freshen up your hands, face and neck if you get hot or clammy.
- Want to stay cool at night? One way is to wash your feet in cool water or take a cold shower before bedtime – especially if you get hot during the night or have hot sweats.
- To cool down in bed, try keeping your pillowcase or sheets in a plastic bag in the fridge during the day. Put them back on the bed at night. The fabric will stay cool when you’re trying to get to sleep.
- And bring your pets in and make sure they have shade and water.
- Be prepared for power outages and know where cooling centers are!
