U.S. Forest Service - Cleveland National Forest

10/23/2026

The Descanso District Office will be open from 12:30-3:30 pm today, and the Trabuco District Office's is experiencing IT difficulties resulting in being unable to conduct sales.

We thank you for your patience as we trouble shoot these issues.

10/22/2026

Southern California Zone Forests Recognized at 2025 USFS Chief’s Award

SAN DIEGO, October 22, 2026 —Last week, members from Southern California National Forests, Caltrans, the National Forest Foundation, CAL FIRE, and the California Department of Conservation were recognized at the 2025 US Forest Service Chief’s Honor Awards Ceremony in Salt Lake City, Utah for the multi-agency effort known as the Southern California Ignition Reduction Program (SCIRP). The program was recognized in the category for “Wildfire Readiness & Response” as it is a partnership working across jurisdictions and agencies using best practices and an evolving body of science to reduce roadside ignitions.

The Southern California Ignition Reduction Program’s primary effort is a joint coalition of shared administrative responsibilities working to counter human-caused wildfire ignition along roadways – where two-thirds of Southern California fires begin. By collectively pooling together resources and sharing data information, the program seeks out high ignition locations and types of vegetation prone to fire during high temperature fire season and then works on ways to reduce the chances of fire ignition.

No singular agency leads the effort, but many contribute to its whole: the Forest Service provides much of the land base and contributes to planning and permitting; Caltrans completes contracts and has taken lead on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA); and other partners also contribute funding and oversee treatment scheduling and implementation. This is one of very few examples that is attempting to pool collective resources managed through a multi-agency Executive Committee by investing in a 10-year program of work while soliciting for new approaches and building the decision-support tools that can be used across organizations.

With a 2025 Charter, a robust governance structure, and approximately $4 million already attracted, SCIRP is advancing three initial pilot projects, including areas along Interstate 8 in San Diego County and along highway 74 in Orange and Riverside County, while developing a durable and shared regional strategy. The partnership is continuing through 2026 and beyond in developing and sharing best practices and techniques regarding vegetation management and re-planting.

More information on SCIRP and locations of their upcoming work, please visit: https://wildfiretaskforce.org/southern-california-ignition-reduction-program/

10/21/2026

As rain fall is expected, please be sure to check our Alerts page for all Forest road and Truck trail closures over the next few day. Be safe out there and remember, if your windshield wipers are on, turn your headlights on.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/cleveland/alerts/forest-truck-trail-and-road-closures

Here are the updated rainfall totals for this evening through Thursday night. A band of light to moderate rain will move through the region this evening. Scattered showers will follow from late tonight into Thursday along with a slight chance of a thunderstorm! ☔️

10/19/2026

Please be aware, the Pine Valley Defense fuels break maintenance on the Descanso Ranger District begins today and will continue until completed. Work will be conducted daily except on Sundays and work will be on Forest land.

The project covers 86 acres of hazardous fuels reduction with cut and pile work clearing out a 300ft fuel break foot print. Prescribed burning of the piles will be conducted by district fuels and fire staff once weather permits.

10/15/2026

Memorial Live stream tomorrow at 12:30 PST

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue
U.S. Forest Service - Cleveland National Forest
Tahoe Douglas Fire Protection District

10/15/2026

***Update: 7:12 p.m., Oct. 19***

Las Pulgas Road is now open.

***UPDATE: 6:00 p.m., Oct. 18***

Las Pulgas Gate and Stuart Mesa Road are now open to all traffic. Las Pulgas Road remains closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and required personnel accessing the area affected by the fire.

***UPDATE: 9:00 a.m.***

Las Pulgas Gate remains closed. Las Pulgas Road remains closed from the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Stuart Mesa Road to the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Brown Street.

Public Works Department personnel are on site working to restore power to the 31 and 41 Areas.

***UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.***

The I-5 from Harbor Drive to the US Customs and Border Patrol Checkpoint is now open in both directions of travel.

***UPDATE: 2:40 p.m.***

The section of I-5 that transits through MCB Camp Pendleton is closed due to a Wildland Fire. Closure points include north bound I-5 at Harbor Drive and south bound I-5 at the US Customs and Border Patrol Checkpoint.

Travelers heading north can use SR-78 to I-15. Travelers heading south can use SR-91 or SR-74. Caltrans District 11

***UPDATE: 7:10 a.m.***
Stuart Mesa Elementary School is now open.

***UPDATE: 6:34 a.m.***
Stuart Mesa Elementary School is closed due to Stuart Mesa Road closure.

Las Pulgas Gate remains closed. Las Pulgas Road remains closed from the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Stuart Mesa Road to the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Brown Street.

***UPDATE: 6:57 p.m.***
The evacuation order for 41 Area has been lifted.

*** UPDATE: 5:24 p.m.***
A secondary evacuation point has been established at the 21 Area gym.

***UPDATE: 4:56 p.m.***
An evacuation order has been published for the Las Flores (41 Area). All affected personnel please evacuate to Paige Field House located in the 11 Area.

***UPDATE: 3:33 p.m.****

Stuart Mesa Rd., to Fire Base Gloria, is closed in both directions.

****UPDATE: 3:19 p.m.****

Las Pulgas Road is closed from the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Stuart Mesa Road to the intersection of Las Pulgas Road and Brown Street.

An evacuation warning has been published for the 41 area.

The Las Pulgas Gate is closed to all vehicles except emergency vehicles until further notice. Please visit the Camp Pendleton road and gate status website for current information and updates.

https://www.pendleton.marines.mil/Staff/Principal-Staff/Security-and-Emergency-Services/Base-Advisories/ /road-gate-and-lane-closures

****UPDATE: 3:12 p.m.****
There is a power outage currently in the 43, 41, 31A, 31B and 31C areas.

*****FIRE ALERT*****

There is a fire located on Camp Pendleton. Located in 43 Area, near the intersection of Basilone Rd. and Las Pulgas Rd.

The Camp Pendleton Fire Department is currently responding. Smoke may be visible to base residents. There is currently a threat to infrastructure on the base and evacuations have been ordered. There is currently a power outage in the Las Pulgas (43 area).

Please follow this page for the most up to date information.

10/13/2026

Family of Christopher Andersen Announces Memorial Honoring Fallen Wildland Fire Pilot from Lake Tahoe

Oct. 10, 2026 – The family of fallen firefighter and wildland fire pilot, Christopher Andersen, announced a memorial to honor and remember Chris, who was killed on August 7, 2026, while supporting wildland fire suppression efforts on the Widemouth 2 Fire in Utah.

Chris was a respected helicopter pilot and beloved member of the wildland firefighting community. His loss has been deeply felt by his family, friends, colleagues, fellow pilots, firefighters, and fire agencies throughout the region and across the wildland fire community.

The Andersen family, with support from local and state fire agencies and the U.S. Forest Service, will hold a memorial service in South Lake Tahoe on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, at Lake Tahoe Airport to honor Chris’ life, service, and lasting impact on the wildland fire community.

Beginning at 11:30 a.m., Chris’s remains will be es**rted by his family, local fire agencies and the U.S. Forest Service from Zephyr Cove to Lake Tahoe Airport via U.S. Highway 50 ahead of the memorial service.

Community members are encouraged to line the streets along the es**rt route to honor Chris, show support for his family, and stand alongside the firefighters, pilots, and agencies coming together to remember and honor him.

The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to local fire agencies, the U.S. Forest Service, and all those who have provided support and helped honor Chris’ legacy during this difficult time.

Chris’ dedication to wildland fire aviation and his service to others will never be forgotten. His memory will live on in the wildland fire community and in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

U.S. Forest Service - Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit

10/13/2026

Always a good day for collaboration and working with our regional and neighboring National Forests 💪

Thanks Angeles National Forest for the recognition.

10/12/2026

The Supervisor's Office and Ranger District Offices will be closed for the federal holiday. Normal business hours will resume on Tuesday.

For full details on District office hours, please visit our website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/cleveland/offices

10/02/2026

Extreme Heat Closure on the Palomar Ranger District

To provide for public safety, going into or being upon the San Diego River Gorge/Cedar Creek Falls Closure Area is prohibited within the Palomar Ranger District of the Cleveland National Forest. This Order is effective from October 02, 2026, through October 08, 2026.

See map below, but the area begins at and includes the San Diego River Gorge Trailhead, then continues east and north along the forest boundary to West Side Road (Forest Road No. 13S10), then continues northeast along West Side Road (Forest Road No. 13S10) for 0.5 miles, then continues east at bearing of 94.8 degrees for 1.81 miles to the Saddleback Trailhead, at the intersection of Eagle Peak Road (Forest Road No. 13S06) and Cedar Creek Road (Forest Road No. 13S11), then continues south at a bearing of 166.5 degrees for 1.3miles to its intersection with the summit of Eagle Peak, then continues southwest at a bearing of254.2 degrees for 1.6 miles to its intersection with the northeast boundary corner of the Capitan Grande Indian Reservation, then continues northwest at a bearing of 313.5 degrees for 1.76 miles back to the starting point.

For more information, see our alerts page on our Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r05/cleveland/alerts