One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
Angeles National Forest Sends Non-Critical Staff Home For 2 Weeks Due To COVID Surge
A sign at the entrance of Angeles National Forest near Palmdale.
(
Tony Webster
/
Flickr Creative Commons
)
If you’re heading into the Angeles National Forest to enjoy what remains of the snow and our cool crisp weather, you’ll find fewer Forest Service employees than normal, starting Monday, Jan. 10.
The U.S. Forest Service says it is staffing the Angeles National Forest with as few employees as possible through Jan. 24. It’s meant to protect the federal workers from getting infected with coronavirus during this latest surge.
"We must use every tool and enhanced safety measure at our disposal to protect our employees," said Jerome Perez, forest supervisor of the Angeles National Forest, in a statement released Friday, "and right now unfortunately, that means closing access to our facilities for two weeks.”
What's Open And What's Not
Fire stations and critical jobs — like cleaning restrooms and garbage removal — will remain staffed. Public campgrounds, picnic areas and trails will stay open.
But public access to Forest Service offices, visitor centers and fire stations will be restricted for the next two weeks.
If you do still plan to visit, forest officials urge you to follow COVID-19 protocols regarding masks and social distancing.
Sponsored message
Forest officials said staff working remotely will still be answering these phone lines.:
- Angeles National Forest Headquarters: (747) 322-6574
- Los Angeles Gateway Ranger District: (818) 899-1900
- San Gabriel Mountains National Monument: (747) 322-6643
Last year, Angeles National Forest was among more than a dozen forests closed across the state for a couple weeks in early September due to fire concerns.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
