The U.S. Forest Service announced the Sequoia National Forest is temporarily closed to the public as of, Monday at 5 p.m., due to the extreme fire behavior throughout California.

According to the Regional Emergency Forest Closure Order, developed and dispersed camping, day-use areas, wilderness areas, forest roads, and trails are closed to the public.

This is a short-term closure that will be reevaluated daily as conditions change.

According to the closure order the following is prohibited within the Sequoia National Forest:
• Going into or being upon National Forest System lands
• Being on a National Forest System road
• Being on a National Forest System trail

A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than 6 months, or both.

The closure is due to the extremely dangerous wildfire situation throughout California. Existing fires are displaying extreme fire behavior, new fire starts are likely, weather conditions are worsening. Fire restrictions have elevated to prohibiting all ignition sources, including campfires and propane or gel-fuel stoves.