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MRCA PARKS CLOSED DURING RED FLAG WARNING OCTOBER 15-17, 2026
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Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Parklands to Close During Red Flag Warning October 15-17, 2026

LOS ANGELES (October 14, 2026) — The National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard Office has issued a red flag warning for Thursday through Saturday, October 15-17, 2026. The following Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA)-managed parks, including those owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, will be closed Thursday, October 15, Friday, October 16, and Saturday October 17, due to the red flag warning.

MRCA-Managed Parklands

  • Cameron Nature Preserve at Puerco Canyon
  • Corral Canyon Park
  • Escondido Canyon Park
  • Tuna Canyon Park
  • Top of Topanga Overlook
  • Summit Valley Ed Edelman Park
  • Red Rock Canyon Park
  • Mill Creek Ranch
  • Temescal Gateway Park
  • Franklin Canyon Park
  • Wilacre Park
  • Mulholland Corridor Overlooks
  • Marvin Braude Mulholland Gateway Park
  • Westridge-Canyonback Wilderness Park
  • King Gillette Ranch
  • Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve
  • Sage Ranch Park
  • Mentryville
  • Whitney Canyon Park
  • East/Rice Canyon
  • Ed Davis Park in Towsley Canyon
  • Happy Camp Canyon Park

In addition,  in accordance with the coordinated protocol established by the National Park Service, California State Parks, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority for closing parklands during National Weather Service red flag warnings in the Santa Monica Mountains, the following partner parklands in the Santa Monica Mountains will likely also be closed. Please check each agency’s website for current closure information.

California State Parks

  • Topanga State Park
  • Malibu Creek State Park
  • Leo Carrillo State Park
  • Point Mugu State Park
  • Will Rogers State Historic Park
  • Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park

National Park Service Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

  • Rancho Sierra Vista
  • Solstice Canyon
  • Peter Strauss Ranch
  • Rocky Oaks
  • Paramount Ranch
  • Cheeseboro / Palo Comado
  • Circle X Ranch
  • Arroyo Sequit
  • King Gillette Ranch
  • Franklin Canyon
  • Fryman Canyon
  • Deer Creek
  • Zuma / Trancas Canyons (Bonsall and Busch parking lots)
  • Backbone Trail (including parking lot on Kanan Road)
  • Sandstone Peak / Mishe Mokwa parking lots and trails

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 Saturday 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.

 

 

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Wins Major Victory Protecting Wildlife Corridor in the Hollywood Hills

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Wins Major Victory Protecting Wildlife Corridor in Hollywood Hills

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 16, 2026) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that it had won an important Court of Appeal decision upholding its right to enforce a conservation easement protecting a wildlife corridor in Laurel Canyon.

The case, Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority v. Bakalinskaya, originated in 2015, when the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy waived its right of first refusal to a City of Los Angeles-owned parcel that was being sold as “exempt surplus land” to an adjacent private property owner. In exchange for the waiver, the private party agreed to dedicate a conservation easement covering an eight-foot strip along the border of the property and to donate a separate parcel to MRCA in fee title for the purpose of establishing a “habitat linkage,” a corridor that allows wildlife to move freely between larger areas.

After signing the settlement and executing the easement, the property owner proceeded to develop within the conservation easement. MRCA subsequently determined that improvements, including an elevated parking deck, artificial lighting and numerous retaining walls, blocked the conservation easement. MRCA staff attempted to have the owner address the violations, but those efforts were unsuccessful.

In August 2022, MRCA filed suit seeking to enforce the conservation easement. Represented by Richards, Watson & Gershon, MRCA prevailed at a jury trial in November 2024. The jury found that the defendants had breached the easement, and the trial court subsequently ordered specific corrective work to bring the property into compliance with the easement. The defendants appealed.

The Court of Appeal heard oral arguments on September 10, 2026, and issued its decision on September 15, affirming the trial court’s judgment in favor of MRCA. The Court also affirmed the trial court’s determination that MRCA was the prevailing party and entitled to recover its costs on appeal.

“The bottom line is that the MRCA will enforce its conservation easements to the fullest extent of the law,” said Chief Staff Counsel Jeff Maloney.

The decision leaves in place the judgment requiring corrective work to bring the property into compliance with the conservation easement, which was established to protect the wildlife corridor.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 80,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

Contact:

Dash Stolarz

Director of Public Affairs

(323) 221-9944 x198

Dash.stolarz@mrca.ca.gov

Bunnie Lane Entrance to Lechuza Beach is Open

Bunnie Lane Entrance to Lechuza Beach is OPEN

MALIBU, CA (September 18, 2026) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that the West Sea Level and East Sea Level entrances to Lechuza Beach in Malibu remain closed until further notice because of hazardous conditions. At West Sea Level Drive, the viewing platform above the beach is open. However, the staircase down to the beach is closed. The Bunnie Lane entrance to the beach is OPEN.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority manages Lechuza Beach.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work towards wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 80,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles

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Court Rejects City of Malibu’s Attempt to Claim Nearly Four-Decade-Old Public Trail Easements on Winding Way near Escondido Canyon Park in Malibu

Judge calls City’s ownership claim a “creative legal argument” and says the City’s claim that it had no notice “strains credulity”

LOS ANGELES (September 1, 2026)— The Los Angeles County Superior Court today ruled in favor of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (Conservancy) and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), rejecting a lawsuit brought by the City of Malibu seeking to establish ownership of public trail easements on Winding Way near Escondido Canyon Park that date back nearly four decades.

The court sustained demurrers filed by the Conservancy and MRCA and dismissed the City’s complaint without leave to amend in City of Malibu v. Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, a public agency, et al. (Los Angeles County Superior Court Case No. 26SMCV02052).

“This is a significant victory for the public trails of the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Miguel A. Luna, Chair of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. “These trails have been managed for public use for decades, and the court has recognized that the City of Malibu cannot now assert a new claim of ownership based on a legal theory that does not apply to recreational trails.”

The City filed the lawsuit in April, claiming that it acquired ownership of the trail easements when Malibu incorporated in 1991. The case involved public hiking and equestrian trail easements along Winding Way and Murphy Way near the popular Escondido Canyon Park that were originally granted to the County of Los Angeles in the late 1980s.

At the heart of the City’s lawsuit was its argument that the recreational trails qualified as “county highways” under California Streets and Highways Code Section 989, a law that provides for county interests in qualifying highways to transfer to a city when territory is incorporated or annexed. The judge found that recreational hiking and equestrian trails are fundamentally different from the types of roads covered by the law.

The judge also found that the City waited too long to assert its claims. The ruling notes that the City had worked with the Conservancy and MRCA for decades regarding management and maintenance of the trails while treating the agencies as the owners of the property. The judge further noted that the City’s ownership theory was not asserted until 2024.

In addressing the City’s claim that it only recently discovered that it owned the trails, the judge described the City’s position as a “creative legal argument” and said the contention that the City had no actual or constructive notice of who owned the trails “strains credulity.”

The ruling also found that the City’s claims were barred by the statute of limitations. It rejected the idea that a governmental entity could wait decades to assert ownership after treating another entity as the owner. As the judge wrote, public policy would be undermined if a governmental entity could “suddenly assert legal ownership” after roughly 30 years of treating another entity as the true owner.

“The court’s ruling recognizes the longstanding relationship between the City and the agencies in managing these trails,” said George Lange, Chair of the Governing Board of the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. “This decision provides clarity about the ownership and management of these public trails and allows us to continue our work protecting these lands and maintaining public access.”

The judge also rejected the City’s request for an opportunity to amend its complaint, finding that the additional facts proposed by the City would not cure the deficiencies identified in the ruling.

The Conservancy and MRCA were directed to lodge proposed orders and judgments by September 14, 2026. The case management conference has been continued to October 22, 2026.

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.

 

Temescal Gateway Park is Open

Rebuilt trails connect to Will Rogers State Park and Topanga State Park

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA (July 13, 2026) — Eighteen months after the devastating Palisades Fire, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (Conservancy) and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that Temescal Gateway Park has reopened to the public, marking a major milestone in the recovery of one of Pacific Palisades’ most treasured public landscapes.

The reopening follows 18 months of fire suppression, storm recovery, emergency operations, regional logistics, and park restoration that have transformed Temescal Gateway Park from the front lines of one of Southern California’s most destructive wildfires back into a place for outdoor recreation and renewal.

Visitors can hike the rebuilt Rivas Trail to two scenic overlooks or continue to Will Rogers State Historic Park. The Sunset Trail is open, providing access to Temescal Ridge Trail and Topanga State Park. Park users can also enjoy the Sycamore Grove and Rubell Picnic Areas.

The popular Temescal Canyon Trail to the waterfall will remain closed until further notice because fire damage created unsafe trail conditions.

When the Palisades Fire threatened Temescal Gateway Park, the MRCA Fire Division mounted an extraordinary defense that prevented the park from being destroyed. Those efforts also enabled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to establish one of the region’s principal wildfire recovery operations within the park.

For months, the park served as the ACOE’s central command site supporting debris removal from thousands of fire-damaged homes and vehicles throughout Pacific Palisades. After that mission concluded, the ACOE restored its operational footprint, allowing MRCA staff and partner organizations to complete the park’s restoration.

“Temescal Gateway Park has long been a place where people come to experience the beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Miguel Luna, Chair of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. “Reopening this park reflects the resilience of both our natural landscapes and the many public agencies, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and community partners who worked tirelessly to make this day possible. We are proud to welcome visitors back while continuing our commitment to restoring this remarkable landscape for future generations.”

MRCA staff worked alongside the California Conservation Corps (CCC), the Los Angeles Conservation Corps (LACC), the workforce and economic development organization Managed Career Solutions (MCS), the Sierra Club, the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s Camp 13 hand crew, Palisades Resilient, California State Parks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE), and other state and local agencies to restore trails, repair visitor facilities, remove hazardous trees, and prepare the park for safe public access.

Numerous fire-damaged trees throughout the park and along its trails—including several beloved mature oak trees—had to be removed to protect public safety. Although visitors will continue to see evidence of the fire, they will also witness the landscape’s remarkable natural recovery. Habitat restoration and reforestation efforts will continue as additional funding becomes available.

Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated open trails, observe all posted closure signs, and remain aware that restoration work will continue in selected areas.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is a State Agency established by the Legislature in 1980. Since that time, it has helped preserve more than 85,000 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 dedicated to the preservation and management of open space and parkland, watershed lands, trails, coastal access, and wildlife habitat. The MRCA works in cooperation with other government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, provide natural resources and scientific expertise, and complete major park improvement projects. The MRCA manages and provides ranger services and fire protection for more than 85,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.  It is one of the lead agencies providing for the revitalization of the Los Angeles River.

Temescal Gateway Park to Reopen July 17, 2026, Marking Major Milestone in Palisades Fire Recovery

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA (July 13, 2026) — Eighteen months after the devastating Palisades Fire, the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy (Conservancy) and the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) announced today that Temescal Gateway Park will reopen to the public at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, July 17, 2026, marking a major milestone in the recovery of one of Pacific Palisades’ most treasured public landscapes.

The reopening follows 18 months of fire suppression, storm recovery, emergency operations, regional logistics, and park restoration that have transformed Temescal Gateway Park from the front lines of one of Southern California’s most destructive wildfires back into a place for outdoor recreation and renewal.

Visitors can hike the rebuilt Rivas Trail to two scenic overlooks or continue to Will Rogers State Historic Park. The Sunset Trail is open, providing access to Temescal Ridge Trail and Topanga State Park. Park users can also enjoy the Sycamore Grove and Rubell Picnic Areas.

The popular Temescal Canyon Trail to the waterfall will remain closed until further notice because fire damage created unsafe trail conditions.

When the Palisades Fire threatened Temescal Gateway Park, the MRCA Fire Division mounted an extraordinary defense that prevented the park from being destroyed. Those efforts also enabled the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to establish one of the region’s principal wildfire recovery operations within the park.

For months, the park served as the ACOE’s central command site supporting debris removal from thousands of fire-damaged homes and vehicles throughout Pacific Palisades. After that mission concluded, the ACOE restored its operational footprint, allowing MRCA staff and partner organizations to complete the park’s restoration.

“Temescal Gateway Park has long been a place where people come to experience the beauty of the Santa Monica Mountains,” said Miguel Luna, Chair of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. “Reopening this park reflects the resilience of both our natural landscapes and the many public agencies, nonprofit organizations, volunteers, and community partners who worked tirelessly to make this day possible. We are proud to welcome visitors back while continuing our commitment to restoring this remarkable landscape for future generations.”

MRCA staff worked alongside the California Conservation Corps, the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, the workforce and economic development organization Managed Career Solutions, the Sierra Club, the Los Angeles Fire Department’s Camp 13 hand crew, Palisades Resilient, California State Parks, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other state and local agencies to restore trails, repair visitor facilities, remove hazardous trees, and prepare the park for safe public access.

Numerous fire-damaged trees throughout the park and along its trails—including several beloved mature oak trees—had to be removed to protect public safety. Although visitors will continue to see evidence of the fire, they will also witness the landscape’s remarkable natural recovery. Habitat restoration and reforestation efforts will continue as additional funding becomes available.

Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated open trails, observe all posted closure signs, and remain aware that restoration work will continue in selected areas.

The Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy is a State Agency established by the Legislature in 1980. Since that time, it has helped preserve more than 85,000 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 dedicated to the preservation and management of open space and parkland, watershed lands, trails, coastal access, and wildlife habitat. The MRCA works in cooperation with other government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, provide natural resources and scientific expertise, and complete major park improvement projects. The MRCA manages and provides ranger services and fire protection for more than 85,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.  It is one of the lead agencies providing for the revitalization of the Los Angeles River.

Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority Announces Maximum Coordinated Public Safety and Fire Protection Effort for Fourth of July Weekend

More than 80 wildland fire-trained personnel from MRCA’s fire protection, ranger, and operations divisions will patrol MRCA parklands on the night of the Fourth of July

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 29, 2026) — The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) today announced its annual public safety patrol and fire protection deployment for the upcoming Fourth of July holiday. The goal is to protect people and natural resources during the large influx of holiday visitors and traffic in the urban-wildland interface. The comprehensive deployment focuses on public safety, fire prevention, law enforcement, and public awareness.

More than 50 MRCA Fire Protection full-time, seasonal, paid call-out personnel, and volunteer staff, who are wildland firefighters, will patrol MRCA parkland from the Pacific Coast to Santa Clarita aboard Type 3 and Type 6 fire engines. Eleven pieces of firefighting equipment, including Type 3 fire engines and tactical water tenders, will be strategically positioned throughout the jurisdiction.

“The MRCA will be out in full force on the Fourth of July to patrol its parklands and curb illegal activity,” said MRCA Chief Fire Management Officer, Ken Nelson. “Our crews are well-trained and ready to respond to the threat posed by dry brush, fireworks, and warm weather.”

An additional 30 MRCA Rangers, Operations Staff, and Public Officers, most of whom are also certified wildland firefighters, will provide safety patrols and enforcement operations with emphasis on areas of heavy traffic including Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles, Topanga Canyon, the 118 Corridor, and Malibu.

“We are very prepared and ready to respond,” said MRCA Chief Ranger Fernando Gomez, who has patrolled Mulholland on the Fourth of July every year for more than 25 years. “We want the public to understand that some areas may be closed. Be vigilant, read signs, and pay attention to your surroundings. Stay safe!”

Key deployment and operational areas include:

The City of Malibu
• Firefighting equipment will be pre-positioned. Active fire and ranger patrols will be deployed throughout the Fourth of July and into the early morning hours at all MRCA coastal locations including Winding Way and Lechuza Beach.

Mulholland Drive
• Both the Jerome C. Daniel Overlook Above the Hollywood Bowl and the Universal Overlook will be closed by 6 p.m.
• Barriers to prevent stopping or parking in front of Universal Overlook will be positioned during the day on Friday, July 3, and will remain in place until Monday morning.
• All other overlooks will be closed to vehicular traffic at 5 p.m.
• Rangers and operations staff will be assigned to fixed locations and as rovers to cover Mulholland Drive and will issue citations as necessary.
• The City of Los Angeles has also committed LAPD, LADOT, and Recreation and Parks Ranger staff to the Mulholland Drive operation, including installing additional “No Stopping” signs early on the Fourth of July from Multiview to Wrightwood.

Topanga Canyon
• Security guards will be stationed with MRCA staff at the Top of Topanga Overlook—from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. Friday through Monday morning.
• MRCA Rangers and Fire Protection staff will coordinate and work in tandem with Topanga Arson Watch volunteers and the Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station, who will maintain a robust presence throughout Topanga.

Fire prevention is a year-round activity for the MRCA, which maintains an expert resource protection workforce trained in wildland fire suppression and fuel management. The agency maintains constant communication with Los Angeles County, Los Angeles City, and Ventura County Fire Departments, and California State Parks and the National Park Service to promote cooperative efforts to prevent and—if necessary—defend against wildfire. MRCA Rangers are California Peace Officers as well as trained wildland firefighters. Several of the rangers’ trucks are outfitted with quick-attack fire suppression capabilities.

The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA) is a local government public entity exercising joint powers of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy, the Conejo Recreation and Park District, and the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District. The MRCA is dedicated to the preservation and management of local open space and parkland, wildlife habitat, coastal access, watershed lands, and trails in both wilderness and urban settings, and to ensuring access to public parkland and coastal resources. The MRCA works in cooperation with the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and other local government partners to acquire parkland, participate in vital planning processes, work toward wildfire resilience, and connect wildlife habitat. The MRCA manages more than 80,000 acres of parkland that it owns and that are owned by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. It is one of the lead agencies revitalizing the Los Angeles River.

Prescribed Plot Burn Scheduled for Santa Monica Mountains Above Topanga Friday June 26,2026

LOS ANGELES (June 24, 2026) – The Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA)  announced today that the Los Angeles County Fire Department, in coordination with MRCA, has scheduled a prescribed plot burn for Friday, June 26, 2026, in the Santa Monica Mountains near Santa Maria Road and Dirt Mulholland Road, weather and environmental conditions permitting.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department will serve as the lead agency for the prescribed burn operation. The Los Angeles City Fire Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and MRCA Fire Division will provide support personnel and resources to assist with operational objectives, public safety, traffic management, and incident coordination throughout the event.

The plot burn is part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, improve ecosystem health, and enhance community protection through strategic fuel management. The Los Angeles County Fire Department will serve as the lead agency for the operation.

The prescribed burn will be conducted one plot at a time over an eight-hour period using a mosaic burning approach, creating a patchwork of burned and unburned vegetation across the landscape. This strategy helps reduce fuel continuity, support habitat diversity, and improve ecosystem resilience. A highly successful low intensity pile burn was conducted in the Topanga area in April.

The project is strategically designed to reduce the spread and intensity of future wildfires by creating breaks in vegetation continuity across the landscape. In the Santa Monica Mountains, where fires can rapidly move through connected canyons, ridgelines, and drainages, these treatments are intended to help slow wildfire movement from valley to valley and community to community, providing firefighters with greater opportunities to safely engage and suppress advancing fire.

This is a planned plot burn conducted by trained personnel operating under a Chief-approved burn plan and Incident Action Plan (IAP). Fire crews will remain on-site throughout the operation to monitor conditions and ensure the burn remains within established control lines. Resources will continue to remain on scene until the plot burn is fully contained, and all operational objectives have been safely completed.

The Prescribed Burn Operation will be rescheduled if weather, fuel moisture, air quality, of smoke dispersal conditions become unfavorable.

Operational Information

What: Prescribed Plot Burn
When: Friday, June 26, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Where: Santa Maria Road and Mulholland Road, Santa Monica Mountains above Topanga Canyon

Smoke Impacts and Public Safety

Smoke May Be Visible: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. in surrounding communities. Smoke may linger in some areas after ignition. Individuals sensitive to smoke, including children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions, should limit outdoor activity if smoke is present.

The public is asked not to report visible smoke from the prescribed burn area as a wildfire. However, if smoke or fire is observed outside the designated project area, residents should contact local authorities.

Traffic and Access

Motorists traveling near Santa Maria Road, Dirt Mulholland Road, and surrounding areas should remain alert for possible smoke and reduced visibility. Minor delays or temporary access restrictions may occur during active operations.

Trail and Road Closures

To ensure public safety during active operations, temporary closures of nearby roads and trail systems will be implemented within and around the project area. Closure locations will be clearly marked, and advance notification signs will be posted one day before the scheduled burn.

Members of the public are asked to respect all closure notices and avoid entering restricted areas. These temporary restrictions are necessary to provide a safe operating environment for firefighters and support personnel while minimizing public exposure to smoke and operational hazards.

Trail and roadway access will be restored as soon as conditions allow following completion of the prescribed burn and subsequent safety assessments.

Community Information

The burn will be conducted under a Chief-approved burn plan and supported by an Incident Action Plan (IAP), which outlines operational objectives, weather forecasts, assigned resources, communications, and safety measures.

For more information about controlled burns including health impacts visit:

http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/safety/prescribed-fire.htm

Residents can monitor the free Watch Duty app for information regarding planned prescribed fire activity and operational updates.

For current air quality information, visit:

www.airnow.gov

www.aqmd.gov

This project is supported in part by funding from Proposition 4, the California Climate Bond, through the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Contact :

MRCA Fire Prevention Division

mrcafireprevention@mrca.ca.gov

 

Los Angeles County Fire Department Schedules Prescribed Plot Burn in the Santa Monica Mountains for Fuel Management

Los Angeles (June 5, 2026) – As part of an ongoing multi-agency effort to reduce wildfire risk led by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority (MRCA), in coordination with the Los Angeles County Fire Department and LA City Fire Department, a prescribed plot burn operation will be scheduled during a favorable weather window in the next 30 days, conditions permitting.   The project will consist of five treatment plots on approximately 53 acres of land managed by the MRCA near Santa Maria Road and Dirt Mulholland Road in the Santa Monica Mountains above Topanga.

The plot burn is part of an ongoing effort to reduce wildfire risk, improve ecosystem health, and enhance community protection through strategic fuel management. The Los Angeles County Fire Department will serve as the lead agency for the operation.

The prescribed burn will be conducted one plot at a time using a mosaic burning approach, creating a patchwork of burned and unburned vegetation across the landscape. This strategy helps reduce fuel continuity, support habitat diversity, and improve ecosystem resilience. A highly successful low intensity pile burn was conducted in the Topanga area in April.

The project is strategically designed to reduce the spread and intensity of future wildfires by creating breaks in vegetation continuity across the landscape. In the Santa Monica Mountains, where fires can rapidly move through connected canyons, ridgelines, and drainages, these treatments are intended to help slow wildfire movement from valley to valley and community to community, providing firefighters with greater opportunities to safely engage and suppress advancing fire.

This is a planned prescribed burn conducted by trained personnel operating under an approved burn plan. Fire crews will remain on-site throughout the operation to monitor conditions and ensure the burn remains within established control lines.

Timing and Conditions

The burn will occur only when weather, fuel moisture, air quality, and smoke dispersal conditions meet established safety requirements. Because prescribed fire operations are weather-dependent, multiple burn windows may be evaluated before conditions are deemed suitable. The Los Angeles County Fire Department will provide a 72-hour public notice before the anticipated burn window and will make a final go/no-go decision immediately prior to ignition. If conditions are not favorable, the operation will be postponed.

Smoke Impacts and Public Safety

Residents in surrounding communities may see or smell smoke during the operation, and smoke may linger in some areas after ignition. Individuals sensitive to smoke, including children, older adults, and those with respiratory conditions, should limit outdoor activity if smoke is present.

The public is asked not to report visible smoke from the prescribed burn area as a wildfire. However, if smoke or fire is observed outside the designated project area, residents should contact local authorities.

Traffic and Access

Motorists traveling near Santa Maria Road, Dirt Mulholland Road, and surrounding areas should remain alert for possible smoke and reduced visibility. Minor delays or temporary access restrictions may occur during active operations.

Community Information

The burn will be conducted under a Chief-approved burn plan and supported by an Incident Action Plan (IAP), which outlines operational objectives, weather forecasts, assigned resources, communications, and safety measures.

For more information about controlled burns including health impacts visit:

http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/safety/prescribed-fire.htm

Residents can monitor the free Watch Duty application for information regarding planned prescribed fire activity and operational updates.

For current air quality information, visit:

www.airnow.gov

www.aqmd.gov

This project is supported in part by funding from Proposition 4, the California Climate Bond, through the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

Contact :

MRCA Fire Prevention Division

mrcafireprevention@mrca.ca.gov