Irvine Zoo, Irvine Regional Zoo Remain Closed for Holy Fire Base Camp

LAKE FOREST, CA — Lake Forest families who were planning on visiting the Orange County zoo or Irvine Regional Park this holiday weekend?

You may wish to seek other things to do in Orange County.

The Irvine Regional Park and the Orange County Zoo are temporarily closed through Monday, Sept. 5 due to the Holy Fire in the Cleveland National Forest in Trabuco Canyon, officials stated.

"The Irvine Regional Park and the zoo will be closed at least through Monday, Sept. 5, to host a fire camp for firefighters working the Holy Fire," officials stated.

Bell View Trail and Bell Ridge, Irvine Regional Park and the OC Zoo are all closed until further notice while firefighters work in the area according to release.

The OC Zoo is located inside the 477 acre Irvine Regional Park in the city of Orange, and is home to animals and plants native to the southwestern United States. Animals on exhibit include black bears, mountain lions, bald eagle, island foxes, ocelot, red-tailed hawk, great horned owls, porcupine, coyotes, turkey vultures, coati and more according to the Orange County. The zoo also features a barnyard with domestic goats, jacob sheep, pot-bellied pigs, doves and pheasants.

Now, it is temporary home to the base command center serving over 400 fire personnel, as well.

Stay tuned to the Orange County Parks Service page for the reopening of the zoo.

Orange County Fire Authority Photo