Shasta-Trinity National Forest, 8 others in California get OK to reopen after fire closure

After shutting down all 18 national forests in California due to "unprecedented" fire danger earlier this month, the U.S. Forest Service has given nine of them clearance to begin reopening. 

Campfires, gas stoves and other sources of ignition are still prohibited.

The following forests have the OK to open "to varying degrees" beginning Saturday at 8 a.m., according to a forest service news release. That includes the following forests:

1. Shasta-Trinity National Forest
2. Lassen National Forest
3. Mendocino National Forest
4. Modoc National Forest
5. Plumas National Forest
6. Tahoe National Forest
7. Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit
8. Eldorado National Forest
9. Stanislaus National Forest

Others, like the Klamath National Forest and Six Rivers National Forest remain closed. Forest officials say visitors should contact the individual forests for more information on their status. A map showing open forests can be found at the link on this webpage. 

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Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials say dispersed camping and overnight use will be prohibited in parts of the Shasta McCloud Management Unit surrounding towns of McCloud, Mt. Shasta, Weed, Dunsmuir and Castella until Oct. 31. 

Some areas of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest remain closed for public safety near the North Zone of the August Complex, Red Salmon Complex and Fox Fire.

"All other areas of the forest, including the Shasta and Trinity Lake areas, are planning to resume normal fall operations," read a news release.

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Shasta-Trinity National Forest officials hope to have a map showing what specifically is open and closed within its borders by Saturday morning.  

Officials reminded potential visitors to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate if a fire starts nearby. 

"Although there has been some relief from the extreme fire behavior seen over the past several weeks, the forest remains in extreme drought conditions," read the news release. "A single spark could potentially result in a large fire." 

Matt Brannon covers politics, the criminal justice system and breaking news for the Record Searchlight. Follow him on Twitter @MattBrannon_RS. Support local coverage and keep up with the North State for as little as $1 a month. Subscribe today.