Upper Big Falls in San Bernardino National Forest closed as rescues more than triple

A portion of a majestic waterfall known to attract thousands of visitors to the San Bernardino National Forest will be closed for a year after rescues more than tripled as people attempted to scale the rocks.

A seven-acre area surrounding Upper Big Falls has been closed since Oct. 8 after months of discussions with community leaders and public safety officials over concerns about the increasing number of injuries this year, said John Miller, a spokesman for the San Bernardino National Forest.

The nearby community of Forest Falls, which is at the base of the Big Falls waterfall, will not be affected by the closure.

“We don’t want to distract anyone from going to visit Forest Falls,” Miller said. “It’s a matter of trying to keep people from getting hurt.”

Rescues were not prevalent at the rocky waterfall until recently, said Tracey Martinez, a spokeswoman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

Only three to five rescues a year were performed from 1995 to 2012, she said. Then in 2013, the fire department saw that number jump to 14. The following year, firefighters performed 16 rescues.

But 2015 has been the worst — firefighters have had to rescue 57 people, many of whom had serious injuries.

To get to the waterfall, visitors trek along the Big Falls Trail and then venture off the path to get to the rushing water. Once they are at the waterfall, they start climbing and find that the rocks are slick. In most cases, the only way to rescue them is by helicopter.

Martinez said the closure will significantly reduce the number of rescues in the area.

“Due to the drought, the water at the falls has decreased significantly,” she said. “A lot of hikers and explorers think that it is safe to climb through the creek and up the falls and end up slipping on the algae-infested rocks.”

The last time this section of the waterfall was closed was in the 1980s, Miller said.

At the time, park officials were dealing with the same issues, so they built a platform, or outlook, in an attempt to dissuade people from climbing the rocks. But in 2011, two people were killed as a result of climbing the waterfall.

This time, park officials are hoping to come up with a permanent solution. Over the next year, park officials will be meeting with residents, county and other public safety officials to come up with a plan to prevent trespassers.

For now, orange netting has been placed around the area and signs erected, warning people not to climb to the waterfall. Parks visitors may frolic in the water, picnic near the base of the waterfall and view the cascade.

“It’s strictly a public-safety closure,” Miller said.

For breaking news in California, follow VeronicaRochaLA.

ALSO:

Boy won’t be arrested after fatally stabbing stepdad to protect mother, police say

Girl’s bloodcurdling screams heard in video as she fights off would-be kidnapper

In Bruce Lee-like move, Northern California police department to adopt nunchakus