10/24/2020
The Inyo National Forest announces that the South Sierra Wilderness, the northern segment of the Golden Trout Wilderness, the Owens River Headwater Wilderness, and the Hoover Wilderness Areas have re-opened for day and overnight use.
Wildernesses in the Inyo Mountains and the White Mountains, the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest, front country areas outside of Wilderness throughout the forest, developed sites, resorts, and recreation resident cabins are and have been open. This includes areas for activities such as dispersed camping, OHV, fishing, hiking and mountain biking in areas throughout the forest that are not included in the forest closures.
Per Forest Order No.05-04-50-20-20, the following are closed:
- The John Muir Wilderness and Ansel Adams Wilderness Areas
- Inyo National Forest outside of wilderness within Madera County and outside of the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area. The most common destinations are Reds Meadow Valley and the Devils Postpile National Monument. This area remains closed due to the Creek Fire to the west. The Reds Meadow Road is closed at Minaret Vista.
Forest order 05-04-54-20-15 remains in effect and includes Navy Beach and the South Tufa Area.
These closures remain in effect because fire danger remains high and to prevent new fires from starting. Availability of firefighting resources remain a continuing concern in this fire year. The Creek Fire continues to bring substantial safety concerns for visitors and hikers in the John Muir and Ansel Adams Wilderness areas.
Fire restrictions are in effect: Propane and gas stove use are now permitted in developed recreation sites in National Forests in California. Developed recreation sites are defined as areas that have been improved or developed for recreation such as campgrounds and day use sites. No fires, including camp stoves, are permitted in dispersed camping areas or in Wilderness areas that are open.
