Edhat Staff
Source: Los Padres National Forest
Los Padres National Forest officials issued a forest order closing the Whittier Fire area on the Santa Barbara Ranger District to the public effective tomorrow, July 15. Forest Service law enforcement officers will strictly enforce the closure order, which carries a penalty of $5,000 and/or six months in jail.
The order will expire when the Whittier Fire is fully contained and controlled.
The boundary of the Whittier Fire Closure Area begins at the intersection of Forest Road No. 6N04 and the Los Padres National Forest boundary, then continues west, south and east along the forest boundary to its intersection with Highway 154, then continues north along Highway 154 to its intersection with the Los Padres National Forest boundary, then continues westward along the forest boundary back to the starting point.
Closure of the fire area is intended to help ensure that members of the public are not injured within the fire perimeter, to keep the area clear for fire equipment traffic, and to allow for the scorched landscape to begin the rehabilitation and regrowth process.
