Park Agencies Establish Coordinated Closure Protocol for Red Flag Warnings in the Santa Monica Mountains

New Approach Aims to Reduce Wildfire Risk and Protect Visitors,

Neighboring Communities and Public Lands During Dangerous Fire Weather

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (October 14, 2026) - The National Park Service, California State Parks, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority have established a coordinated protocol for closing parklands during National Weather Service red flag warnings in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The protocol provides a more consistent approach to closures across the network of public lands managed by the four agencies. The goal is to reduce the potential for wildfire ignitions, protect visitors and park resources, and limit the number of people who could require evacuation if a wildfire starts during dangerous fire weather. During extreme conditions, the National Weather Service may designate a red flag warning as a "Particularly Dangerous Situation," or PDS.

The coordinated closure protocol will be activated for the first time this week in response to the forecasted red flag warning Thursday morning through Friday night in the Santa Monica Mountains. All closures decisions, including the one this week, are based on official forecasts issued by the National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard office. Red flag warnings are issued when weather conditions such as low relative humidity, strong winds or dry lightning combine with dry vegetation to create conditions favorable for rapid fire growth. Agency superintendents and directors will determine which parklands should close bas red on the geographic extent and severity of each forecast. Decisions will be made daily, with agencies announcing closures the day before whenever possible. If a red flag warning covers only a portion of a day, affected parklands may remain closed for the entire day to provide clear, consistent information to the public and allow agencies to safely manage operations.

"The Santa Monica Mountains are one landscape, even though they are managed by several different agencies," said Jody Lyle, superintendent of Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. "A coordinated approach is important because it reduces confusion for visitors and it protects people and resources during high fire danger."

"Our agencies work together daily to manage parkland and protect open space in the Santa Monica Mountains," said Joseph T. Edmiston, Executive Director of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Executive Officer of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. "This decisive framework for coordinating our decisions and communications during dangerous red flag events will give the public clear direction when wildfire conditions pose an extraordinary risk."

Closures may include trails, undeveloped and backcountry areas, visitor centers, parking areas, programs, school field trips, volunteer activities, and permitted events. Public roads, certain developed parking areas, roadside overlooks, campgrounds, and beach areas may remain accessible depending on conditions and the agency managing the property. Specific closures will vary with each red flag warning.

"California State Parks worked closely with our agency partners to develop coordinated red flag protocols," said Richard Fink, Angeles District Superintendent. "When red flag conditions are present, State Parks will implement the protocols in coordination with our partners and provide timely public information through website updates, social media, media advisories, and on-site signage. These communications will help visitors understand when conditions may affect access, operations, or activities within impacted state parks and allow them to plan accordingly."

Not every closed area will be signed or gated. Visitors should check current conditions with the agency managing their destination before traveling to the Santa Monica Mountains during a red flag warning.

During closures, visitors should postpone activities such as hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and picnicking in affected areas until conditions improve. Staying out of closed areas during dangerous fire weather reduces the chance of accidental wildfire ignitions and the number of people who may need to be evacuated during an emergency.

Visitors to MRCA-managed parkland can check current park conditions by visiting https://www.mrca.ca.gov.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is a State Agency that was established by the Legislature in 1980. Since that time, it has helped preserve more than 80,000 acres of parkland in both wilderness and urban settings. The Conservancy's mission is to strategically buy back, preserve, protect, restore, and enhance treasured pieces of Southern California to form an interlinking system of urban, rural, and river parks, open space, trails, and wildlife habitat that are easily accessible to the general public.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, Conejo Recreation and Park District, and Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to preserving and managing local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, while ensuring public access to these lands. The MRCA works with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and local government partners on land acquisition, planning, wildfire resilience, habitat connectivity, and other efforts to protect and enhance public lands. The MRCA manages more than 85,000 acres, including land it owns and land owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.