MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest officials issued a new area closure for the August Complex effective Sunday, Aug. 30, through Sept. 30.

This temporary closure is intended to provide for firefighter and public safety due to extreme fire behavior and hazards associated with the Complex.

Forest Order No. 08-20-11 changed the southern boundary of the previous closure; forest visitors are now allowed to recreate in the Fouts Springs area.

“This fire area closure is necessary to ensure no one is injured within or near the fires in the August Complex. There is much work to do to contain the fires and this closure will help keep fire personnel safe while working on and near roads within the complex,” said Forest Supervisor Ann Carlson.

Please be advised that smoke surrounding the 216,000-acre August Complex is predicted to be greater Saturday than it was Friday. Air quality is expected to be unhealthy in areas around the August Complex.

The Forest Order 08-20-11 and the map are posted on the forest website.

August Complex incident information is posted on InciWeb.