CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Chief Robert Fish lifted the burn suspension and reopened hazardous hiking areas effective Monday, Nov. 2. The CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department announced the changes on X.

The move ends months of fire-season restrictions across Riverside County. October storms soaked the inland region, replacing dry vegetation with green growth, Patch reported.

Fish said improved weather conditions allowed the department to resume permitted burning and reopen the hazardous hiking areas, according to Patch. He added that wildfire remains a year-round threat and encouraged everyone to remain vigilant and practice fire safety.

What changed

Property owners under the county's jurisdiction who obtain burn permits from the fire department can resume burning on designated days when there are no air quality alerts, according to Patch. Residents of cities with their own fire agencies will need to get permits from those departments.

Murrieta has its own fire department, Murrieta Fire and Rescue. Whether that agency has independently lifted its burn suspension was not addressed in the CAL FIRE announcement.

Hiking areas reopen

The hazardous hiking areas that had been closed since early May are now open to the public again. The fire department had obtained the Riverside County Board of Supervisors' approval to close them, a practice in place since 2007, according to Patch.

The reopened areas are:

  • Bautista Canyon, southeast of Hemet
  • Eagle Canyon, between Lake Mathews and the county landfill north of Cajalco Road
  • Indian Canyon and North Mountain, around San Jacinto
  • Ramona Bowl, south of Hemet
  • Steele Peak, south of Gavilan Hills

The areas are remote, making any wildfire difficult to reach. When ABC7 reported the original closures in April, CAL FIRE Public Information Officer Jasmine Wood said the closures targeted spots at highest risk for human-caused fires, particularly from off-road vehicles.

The restrictions on hiking and biking in these areas likely will not return until late next spring, according to Patch.

Residents who want to check on burn permit requirements can contact their local fire department. For emergencies, call 911.