Apple Fire forces partial closure of the Pacific Crest Trail
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MORENO VALLEY, Calif. - A portion of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has been temporarily closed due to the Apple Fire currently burning in the Banning Canyon area located in Riverside County.
The closure impacts approximately 20.5 miles of trail between the Cottonwood Trailhead near the community of San Gorgonio and the San Bernardino National Forest boundary in Mission Creek Canyon in Riverside County. For the safety of the public and the firefighters battling the flames, unless authorized, no person shall travel along this portion of the trail until further notice. Signage has been posted at the main entrance points. This temporary closure is effective immediately until rescinded or modified, at which time the BLM will issue a press release announcing the reopening.
The Apple Fire started on Friday, July 31, near Appletree Lane and Oak Glen Road in the Cherry Valley area of Riverside County; the fire continues to burn in the area of the PCT. The fire has burned over 28,085 acres and is currently 30 percent contained.
Maps showing the affected area are available online at: https://go.usa.gov/xfdFF. You may also view the Notice of Temporary Closure. Continue to monitor the BLM, CAL FIRE, Riverside County Fire Department and the Pacific Crest Trail Association web pages for additional news.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.