San Diego County is closing three parks in August to protect visitors from extreme heat. The shutdown will also allow for essential maintenance.
SAN DIEGO — As temperatures rise, three county parks in San Diego County will close for the month of August to protect visitors from the heat.
The closures include parks near Lakeside, Ramona, and Valley Center, with the county citing safety as the primary concern during this hot time of year. The county also noted that parks and recreation take advantage of this closure to complete maintenance projects.
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El Capitan County Preserve, one of the closed locations, has signs warning hikers about its extremely difficult trails and the lack of shade.
“We go out to dozens of these rescues throughout the years, and a lot of really rural areas and remote areas of hiking trails,” CAL FIRE Public Information Officer Captain Oscar Sotelo said. “It’s a very risky operation, but you know, we’re there to serve the public.”
Along with El Capitan, Mt. Gower Preserve and Hellhole Canyon Preserve will also remain closed throughout August. Sotelo warned that many calls for help involve inexperienced hikers unfamiliar with trail conditions and urged outdoor enthusiasts to do their research before heading out.
“So that unexpected terrain, the heat of the day that might surprise them, will you know in hindsight kind of rapidly change the conditions both for themselves and around them and whoever is hiking with them,” he said.
In case of emergencies, Sotelo emphasized the importance of charging your phone, wearing bright clothing, and knowing your exact location to assist rescue crews. Hethat the moment someone leaves a marked trail, it becomes significantly harder for pilot crews to locate them.
Additionally, Agua Caliente Regional Park and Vallecito County Park are closed for the summer, having shut down over Memorial Day weekend and scheduled to reopen on Labor Day weekend.