Traffic, Closure Expected on Forest Roads

Warm weather will mean a busy weekend and limited access to Angeles National Forest areas above Lake View Terrace and Sunland-Tujunga.

Randi Jorgensen, spokesperson for the U.S. Forest Service, said if previous Labor Day weekends are any indication, visitors can expect roadways into Big Tujunga Canyon to be closed between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

“The roads can get congested on holiday weekends like this,” Jorgensen said. “People need to allow for extra time getting in and out of the area.”

Those who plan to park and use the forest must purchase a Forest Adventure Pass for $5 from Forest Service personnel or local businesses leading into the canyon.

“People need to be especially careful driving,” she said. “The roads can be narrow and winding and, because we are adjacent to a large city, some people tend to drink and drive.”

To combat dangerous driving and other problems, forestry officials will again be operating a joint law enforcement task force with the Sheriff’s Department, said Deputy Roger Wallace of the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station in La Crescenta, which jurisdiction includes Angeles National Forest.

Wallace said the Montrose Search and Rescue Team will be patrolling the Tujunga canyons and other National Forest areas, along with Sheriff’s Arson Watch volunteer units.

Valley areas, meanwhile, got some heat relief Friday.

Although high humidity and scattered rain plagued much of the Valley, lower than usual temperatures provided a respite from the blistering heat. Burbank had a high of 73 degrees, Van Nuys a high of 74 and Woodland Hills a high of 76, according to the National Weather Service. The hottest spot in the north part of the county was Chatsworth with a high of 80 degrees.

The Antelope Valley, often the driest spot in the county, was hit with .78 inches of rain in Lancaster and a quarter inch in Palmdale.

Meteorologists at the weather service forecast similar conditions today with a 30% chance of rain, high humidity in the morning and lower humidity in the afternoon. Temperatures are expected to rise sharply Sunday with highs near the 90s and lows in the 70s. There will also be a 30% chance of rain and high humidity throughout the day. Monday is expected to be partly cloudy with highs in the 90s.