Aliso Fire Aftermath: Wilderness Park Reopens 7 am, OC Parks Says

(Aliso Viejo, CA) - Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park reopens to the public 7 a.m. Saturday, June 9th barring any unforeseen circumstances related to the 175-acre Aliso Fire that began in the wilderness park June 2nd at 1:07 p.m., according to authorities.

OC Parks will be handing out “Aliso Fire” brochures to visitors that explains a narrative of the fire and trails closed in the aftermath. A detailed map highlighting “Aliso Fire Closures” is also included in the brochure.

“OCFA wants the public to know they are safe as they return to the Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park,” said OCFA Captain/PIO Steve Concialdi. “We want the public to remember that over the next few weeks it will be normal to see dust and ash in the fire burned areas. If they see any unusual fire-related activity in the burned areas we ask that they immediately call 911.”

”OCFA wants to remind those with sensitivities to smoke that the area still has a lingering smell of smoke and to follow all recommended medical guidelines their physicians have for them,” Concialdi said. “OCFA has a fire unit at the park patrolling the area. Please use caution, stay out of any closed areas and be patient.”

OCFA APPEARS ON TV SHOW ”THIS DAY” JUNE 8TH TO DISCUSS ALISO FIRE

This morning Concialdi appeared on Channel 6-TV broadcast morning show ”This Day” with host Ken Goldenberg to discuss the Aliso Fire (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kGSqe1Vlco&feature=youtu.be).

OCFA appears regularly on ”This Day” to discuss a variety of fire service related topics such as cooking fires, drowning prevention, disaster preparedness, smoke alarms, home escape plans, wildfire safety and much more.

Viewers can watch “This Day” every weekday morning at 8:30 a.m., with rebroadcasts at 12:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Laguna Woods Village Channel 6-TV.

THE WILDERNESS IS HEALING: STAY OUT OF BURNED AREAS AND BE PATIENT

“The Aliso Fire ignited June 2nd 2018 and burned approximately 175 acres of sensitive habitat inside Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park. Areas damaged by the fire will remain closed to allow them to recover,” states the OC Parks Aliso Fire brochure. “Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park Trails Closed: Coyote Run (South of Rock-It), Dripping Cave and Nature Loop.”

“The blackened hillsides may appear lifeless; however, natural recovery is already underway. The ash contains rich nutrients that will aid habitat regeneration,” the Aliso Fire brochure states.

STAY OUT OF BURNED AREAS

“Please respect closure notices. Some areas are still unsafe for visitors. Additionally, premature access could increase erosion, damage recovering plants, and further traumatize displaced animals,” the Aliso Fire brochure states.

BE PATIENT

“Land managers are working to reopen the parks and trails for public access as soon as it is safe and feasible for visitors and habitat,” the Aliso Fire brochure says.

RESOURCES

Follow OC Parks for updates and information about closures and recovery on Twitter @OCParks, Facebook OrangeCountyParks and online ocparks.com.

To find out how to volunteer to help keep visitors on designated paths, contact the Laguna Canyon Foundation at https://lagunacanyon.org/.

For wildfire information, go to OCFA.org. Follow @OCFA_PIO on Twitter for up to the minute news, and http://wildlandfirersg.org/.

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