MENDOCINO NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. – Mendocino National Forest officials issued a new closure for the August Complex effective Saturday, Oct. 3.

While the southern boundary for Forest Order No. 08-20-14 opens areas within the Lake Pillsbury Basin, it keeps other areas closed to protect the firefighters assigned to the August Complex and the public from potential injury caused by hazards in the August Complex.

The August Complex as of Friday had burned more than 970,000 acres and is 55-percent contained.

The Forest Service said keeping this area closure in place will help keep the public out of harm’s way and fire personnel safe while they continue to work to suppress the fire.

The Lake County Sheriff reduced the evacuation orders to warnings in the Lake Pillsbury basin on Friday. The evacuation orders have been reduced to evacuation warnings for all areas north of the fires edge, south and west of the Lake/Glenn County line, and east of the Lake/Mendocino County line.

The evacuation warning remains in effect for all residents in the following area: All residents and areas south of fire’s edge, north of North Ridge and West Crockett Camp, east of the Lake / Mendocino County line and west of the Lake / Glenn County line.

Hunting and recreation within the closure area are prohibited. Evacuation orders and advisories remain in Lake and Mendocino counties. Residents who need to access their property within the closure area via a Forest System road will require a permit from the US Forest Service. Contact the Mendocino National Forest at 530-934-3316 for more information.

Forest Order 08-20-14 and associated exhibits, including the map, are posted on the forest website.

The following recreation sites are open:

– Grindstone District: Big Springs Day Use, Davis Flat, Deafy Glade, Fouts, Gray Pine, Letts Lake, Little Stony, Mill Creek, Nail Track , North Fork, South Fork, Wolf Creek, Mill Valley and Old Mill.

– Upper Lake District: Penny Pines, Middle Creek and Deer Valley.

– Trailheads: Bathhouse, Bear Wallow, Summit Springs, Windy Point and West Crocket.