Key Access Road to Angeles Forest Remains Closed

As firefighters continued to corral a canyon fire in the Angeles National Forest north of Azusa, officials left closed an important access road to the forest on the eve of the Fourth of July weekend.

The fire, which has burned in remote reaches of San Gabriel Canyon since Tuesday, was declared 50% contained by late Thursday. The U.S. Forest Service predicted that the blaze would be brought under control by Saturday night.

New, infrared measurement put the fire’s area at 2,200 acres. Previous rough estimates had placed its reach at 1,500 acres.

The mouth of San Gabriel Canyon Road, a key forest corridor, has been closed from Sierra Madre Boulevard to East Fork Road since the fire broke out.

Officials had hoped to reopen the road by the time campers began arriving Thursday, but the danger of falling hillside debris and the presence of firefighting vehicles prompted a decision to keep it closed through Thursday night, forest service officials said. Only those with proof of residency were being allowed through.

The canyon, which is popular among families for weekend barbecues and camping, is not altogether off limits. But it will take some doing to get there.

Officials suggested an alternative route to the canyon. Visitors can approach from Mt. Baldy Village, about 20 miles to the east, and take the winding Glendora Ridge and Glendora Mountain roads to reach East Fork Road into the canyon. It is a scenic, if slower, route.

“The only problem is, if the person has car-sickness, they wouldn’t enjoy the extra mountain driving,� Berry said.

As many as 40,000 people are expected to visit the forest over the weekend. The Chantry Flats picnic area north of Arcadia was reopened but will close early, at 6 p.m., through the weekend.

If persistent smoke and fire potential weren’t enough, many forest visitors will confront for the first time a $5 daily fee. The parking permits, launched last month at four national forests in Southern California, can be purchased at Forest Service offices and certain sporting goods stores.

The fee, named the Adventure Pass, has proved controversial among hikers and campers who visit the forest. Some users say fees are a long-overdue way to boost spending for maintenance, but others complain that they already support the national forests through taxes.

Forest Service spokeswoman Gail Wright said visitors without passes would probably receive a warning, but repeat offenders could be fined $100. “The message is still education,� Wright said.

Information on forest road conditions is available by calling (626) 821-6700.