Much of Mount Baldy and its surrounding trails will be closed until October following Vista Fire

Topline:

Parts of the San Bernardino National Forest and Angeles National Forest near Mount Baldy will be closed temporarily following damage from the Vista Fire. The U.S. Forest Service is projecting the closure to last until October 31.

The closure areas: The closure includes, but is not limited to, roads in the following areas:

• Mt. Baldy Rest Area Parking
• Icehouse Day Parking
• Mt Baldy Station
• Mt Baldy Village
• Manker Flat Campground (campground is closed)

How it will affect hiking: The following trails will be fully or partially closed:

• Mt. Baldy Bowl
• Bear Canyon Trail
• Three T's Trail
• Devils Backbone
• Icehouse Canyon
• Mt Baldy
• Fish Creek
• Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) – The PCT is closed between Interstate-15 (mile 342) to Blue Ridge Campground (mile 367.3).
• Acorn Trailhead
• North Backbone Trail

The backstory: The Vista Fire, which started July 7, has burned through over 2,800 acres and is currently about 43% contained as of Sunday morning. Evacuation orders have already been issued for Mount Baldy Ski Resort and the Pacific Crest Trail from Lytle Creek to Mount Baldy.

What's next: Firefighters will use the closed roads to monitor, patrol, and suppress the fire. In a statement, the U.S. Forest Service said the closure "is necessary to help ensure that no one is injured within the fire perimeter or surrounding area and that firefighting personnel can safely access the fire."