Laguna Campgrounds Closed by Chariot Fire Reopen

Swaths of East County mountain wilderness closed to the public since last month by a 7,000-acre wildfire reopened Thursday.

All trails, campgrounds, and picnic areas in Laguna Mountain Recreation Area are now available to visitors again, according to Cleveland National Forest officials.

On July 6, the so-called Chariot Fire erupted about nine miles southeast of Julian and began spreading over back-country terrain on the flanks of Mount Laguna. The blaze destroyed about 150 structures, mostly log cabins and trailer homes, and forced hundreds of residents to evacuate before firefighters got the flames under control.

A partial closure will remain in effect at least through Dec. 31 to allow crews to address resource protection, protection of public and private property, and public health-and-safety concerns related to the fire, according to to forestry officials.

-City News Service