Hiking trails and other parklands in the Santa Monica Mountains, including areas in Los Angeles County, could be closed beginning Thursday under a new coordinated protocol aimed at reducing wildfire risks during red flag warnings, officials said Wednesday.
The National Park Service, California State Parks, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority established the protocol to coordinate closures across public lands managed by the four agencies.
The new approach will be implemented for the first time Thursday as a National Weather Service red flag warning takes effect at 6 a.m. and continues until 10 p.m. Friday for the mountains of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.
The warning was issued in anticipation of Santa Ana winds and low humidity that could create conditions favorable for rapid wildfire spread.
Northeast to east winds of 20 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching 50 to 70 mph, are forecast in affected mountain areas, along with relative humidity levels as low as 8% to 20%, according to the weather service.
The red flag warning will affect Topanga and Malibu Creek state parks in Los Angeles County, along with Leo Carrillo and Point Mugu state parks and Will Rogers and Santa Susana Pass state historic parks. Specific closure decisions will be made by the agencies managing the properties.
The coordinated protocol is intended to reduce the likelihood of wildfire ignitions, protect visitors and park resources, and limit the number of people who might require evacuation if a fire breaks out.
“The Santa Monica Mountains are one landscape, even though they are managed by several different agencies,” said Jody Lyle, superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. “A coordinated approach is important because it reduces confusion for visitors and it protects people and resources during high fire danger.”
Under the protocol, agency superintendents and directors will determine which parklands to close based on the geographic extent and severity of red flag warnings issued by the weather service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office.
Decisions will be made daily, with closure announcements issued the preceding day whenever possible. Areas may remain closed for an entire day even if a warning covers only part of that day.
Closures may affect hiking trails, undeveloped and backcountry areas, visitor centers, parking areas, school field trips, volunteer activities, organized programs and permitted events.
Public roads, certain developed parking areas, roadside overlooks, campgrounds and beaches may remain accessible, depending on conditions and the agency managing the property.
“Our agencies work together daily to manage parkland and protect open space in the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Joseph T. Edmiston, executive director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and executive officer of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. “This decisive framework for coordinating our decisions and communications during dangerous red flag events will give the public clear direction when wildfire conditions pose an extraordinary risk.”
Officials cautioned that not every closed area will be marked with signs or secured by gates.
Visitors were urged to check conditions before traveling to the mountains and postpone hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking in affected areas until conditions improve.
The protocol also addresses extreme fire weather conditions designated by the weather service as a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which could prompt additional restrictions.
Specific closures will vary with each warning, officials said.
Information about park conditions on lands managed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority is available at www.mrca.ca.gov.