Plumas Forest Warden issues order to close forest due to rainbow collection incident

The U.S. Forest Service’s Plumas National Forest confirms the de-designation of the forest due to growing concerns related to the unauthorized Rainbow Family Gathering incident near Antelope Lake.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/plumas/news-events/…

Release date: 26 June 2024

Quincy, California, June 26, 2024 – To protect natural, tribal and cultural resources, due to fire hazard, public health and sanitation concerns, and to preserve permitted special uses, the Plumas National Forest has issued a Forest Order prohibiting any person from being in any part of the Indian Creek Headwaters Area and a road closure order for the Mount Hough Ranger District.

There is currently one incident of unauthorized group use in this area, approximately 5 miles north of Antelope Lake Recreation Area in Plumas County, just south of Lassen County.

“The Forest is concerned about the more than 500 people already scattered camping in a concentrated area. We are always willing to work with any organization or group interested in recreation on the National Forest. There are existing and projected impacts to natural and cultural resources and other authorized uses. Our priority is maintaining public health and safety and appropriate management of public lands and natural resources,” said Chris Carlton, Plumas National Forest Superintendent.

The Forestry Ordinance is effective today and will be reviewed daily to determine the appropriate time to lift the ordinance so that public use of the area can resume.

Forest Service regulations require that all noncommercial group use (defined as activities that do not charge an entrance or participation fee and whose primary purpose is not the sale of goods or services), as well as all activities conducted on National Forest System lands involving 75 or more persons, must be approved by the Forest Service through a Special Noncommercial Group Use Permit (36 CFR 251.54).

For more information about the unauthorized noncommercial group use incident, visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/rainbowgathering.

About the Forest Service: The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to maintain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The agency manages the 193 million acres of the National Forest System, assists non-federal forest owners with management, and maintains the largest forest research organization in the world.