Campgrounds Opened Friday __

​ In Barton Flats Area Re-opens 

  While San Gorgonio Wilderness remains closed 

Barton Flats Area near Hathaway Bridge    PHOTO By MILLENER PRODUCTIONS

U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest, Public Information Officer John Miller announced Friday July 9^th that Forest officials have re-opened campgrounds, closed during the 31,359-acre LAKE FIRE in the popular Barton Flats and Heartbar recreation area.

The San Gorgonio Wilderness remains closed to visitor use.  This includes all trails into the San Gorgonio Wilderness and the Pacific Crest Trail between the Whitewater Preserve and Onyx Summit.

Yellow Post sites, and Coon Creek Cabin along Coon Creek Road will remain closed as well as the upper loop of the South Fork Campground.

Jenks Lake day use area will reopen and may be subject to closure based on firefighting helicopter needs and predicted storm activity.

People are advised to pay attention during rain storms which could lead to post fire mud and debris flows and to stay away from areas such as forest roads, draws, and drainages.  The fire area continues to have a closure in effect.

Information regarding recreational opportunities, forest closures and fire restrictions are available on-line at http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf or you call or visit your local Forest Service office:

Big Bear Discovery Center
41397 North Shore Drive / Highway 38, Fawnskin
(909) 382-2790

Mill Creek Visitor Center
34701 Mill Creek Road, Mentone
(909) 382-2881

The LAKE FIRE remains at 98% containment due to the extreme and inaccessible terrain in the southeast corner of the fire perimeter.  Full containment and control of the fire is not anticipated in the near future, and smoke will be visible within the 50 square miles of the burned area throughout the summer months.  Firefighting efforts will continue until we confident that the fire is out.

Firefighters are using State Route 38 to access the northern areas of the fire and we ask the motoring public to slow down and exercise caution in the area, particularly around the Jenks Lake turnoff and Onyx Summit.  

More Information regarding the LAKE FIRE is available on-line:

LAKE FIRE on Inciweb - http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4302/  

LAKE FIRE BAER (Burned Area Emergency Response) Team on Inciweb - http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4346/