So. Calif Fires: Cabezon and Lake Hughes

imported
#1

There are a couple of recent fires that I think are near sections of the PCT in So. California. I haven’t located detailed information, such as maps, so it is difficult to guess their threat potential to hikers.

The Verbenia fire is near Snow Creek and Hwy 111, near Cabazon, in the San Jacinto area.

http://www.rvcfire.org:8080/firepio/process?action=viewIncident&id=11117
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/9971742p-10893351c.html

There’s a fire near Lake Hughes in the Angeles National Forest:

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/news/071204_brusher.html
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/states/california/northern_california/9138550.htm?1c

Craig “Computer” Rogers

#2

There’s been less coverage of this fire online than I expected. Summary: The PCT is closed from Fuller Ridge to I-10, and the fire has likely burned over the trail.

For this fire, the National Fire News Wireland Fire Update Web site (http://www.nifc.gov/fireinfo/nfn.html) points to the California Dept. of Forestry and Fire Protection’s CDF Major Incidents website. The CDF Major Incidents web page has’t been update to include the Verbenia fire, but if you follow the “Fire Information Phone Numbers” link, you should see the following reference:

Verbenia Fire
CDF Riverside Unit/Riverside County Fire/US Forest Service
909-940-6985
Updated: 7/13/2004 9:02:22 AM

I called this number and talked to a firefighter to ask about whether the Verbenia Fire affected the PCT. This particular firefighter wasn’t familiar with the PCT. I wanted to have a definitive reference on hand before continuing the conversation, so I hung up and: 1) booted my laptop into Windows, 2) downloaded and installed today’s Critical Windows updates, 3) rebooted into Windows, and 4) started Topo! to pull up a topo of the area.

I called back and described the path of the trail. The firefighter confirmed that this area was within the fire operations zone. I asked if someone would please post a fire area map on the Web site.

Next, I called the San Jacinto Ranger District of the San
Bernardino National Forest.

San Jacinto Ranger District
54270 Pinecrest
Idyllwild, CA 92549
(909) 382-2921 (voice)

Here I got more definitive information. The PCT is closed from Fuller Ridge Trail to Snow Creek. The Black Rock (Black Mtn?) and Boulder Basin campgrounds are closed.

Here are some news stories on this fire:

http://www.sbsun.com/Stories/0,1413,208~12588~2268413,00.html
http://www.sacbee.com/state_wire/story/9981558p-10903154c.html

Craig “Computer” Rogers

#3

I called the Angeles National Forest Supervisor’s Office, 626-574-5200. The Lake Hughes (“Pine Incident”) fire is currently being handled by Los Angeles County, 323-881-2413. At 1800 PDT, the Angeles National Forest will take over management of the fire.

Here’s what I was told: Liebre Mtn. Truck Trail is closed from Pine Canyon Road (Lake Hughes) to Forest Rd. 8N04. The Old Ridge Road (to the west of the PCT) is also closed. Although not specifically mentioned in the Forest Service press release, it should be understood that the PCT is closed in this area, per the Forest Service representative (once I told her where the PCT ran in the area).

My interpretation: For northbound hikers, Agua Dulce would be a good place to stop for a while. :slight_smile: SOBO hikers, it should be OK to cross the Antelope Valley (modulo the heat!), but please don’t hike south of hwy 138.

Craig “Computer” Rogers

#4

The official press release for the fire closure has appeared on the Angeles National Forest Web site. I’m pleased to see that the Forest Service included the PCT in the release (of course, I’m not pleased that the PCT needed to be closed, don’t get me wrong about that).

http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/angeles/news/2004/news-2004-07-13-pine-fire-road-closure.shtml

The eastern PCT closure is Lake Hughes Road, which runs
through Elizabeth Lake Canyon from Lake Hughes to Castaic Lake. Here’s a Web page on the road. :wink:

http://www.scvresources.com/general/lake_hughes_road.htm

Craig “Computer” Rogers

#5

I drove by the area on I-10 the past two nights, and the fire definately burned over the trail. Monday evening it was burning up the ridge directly to the west of the trail and appeared to be catching the westward swinging portions 1-2 miles above the water spigot at the bottom of the switchbacks. Tuesday evening the fire was burning over the
ridge (to the southwest of the trail). A local radio station reported the fire was 40% contained and had burned
3700 acres. Also, there were early reports of a stranded hiker in the area but I have not been able to find out anything else…

Tim H