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California › Santa Barbara County

Los Padres National Forest

Extreme Heat Watch issued July 20 at 12:26PM PDT until July 27 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

12:26 PM — July 21st, 2:00 PM

* WHAT...For the Heat Advisory, temperatures between 93 to 103 expected. For the Extreme Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with temperatures between 97 and 107 possible. * WHERE...A portion of southwest California. * WHEN...For the Heat Advisory, from 10 AM to 8 PM PDT Wednesday. For the Extreme Heat Watch, from Wednesday evening through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors. There is a high risk for heat illness for sensitive populations including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors.

Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 12:26PM PDT until July 27 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

12:26 PM — July 21st, 2:00 PM

* WHAT...Temperatures up to 105 expected. * WHERE...Cuyama Valley, Santa Barbara County Interior Mountains, Santa Ynez Mountains Eastern Range, Santa Ynez Mountains Western Range, and Santa Ynez Valley. * WHEN...From 10 AM Wednesday to 8 PM PDT Monday. * IMPACTS...There is a high risk for heat illness for sensitive populations including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors.

Heat Advisory issued July 20 at 12:26PM PDT until July 22 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS Los Angeles/Oxnard CA

12:26 PM — July 21st, 2:00 PM

* WHAT...For the Heat Advisory, temperatures between 93 to 103 expected. For the Extreme Heat Watch, dangerously hot conditions with temperatures between 97 and 107 possible. * WHERE...A portion of southwest California. * WHEN...For the Heat Advisory, from 10 AM to 8 PM PDT Wednesday. For the Extreme Heat Watch, from Wednesday evening through Monday evening. * IMPACTS...There is a high risk for dangerous heat illness for anyone, especially for the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors. There is a high risk for heat illness for sensitive populations including the very young, the very old, those without air conditioning, and those active outdoors.

Overview

Los Padres National Forest encompasses nearly 2 million acres across central California's Coast and Transverse Ranges, stretching 220 miles from Monterey to Kern County. The forest is currently open but with significant recent fire impacts and ongoing restrictions. The Gifford Fire (August 2025) burned 131,614 acres and reached 100% containment in late September, becoming California's largest fire of 2025. This followed the Madre Fire (July 2025) which burned over 80,000 acres and was declared out in late July. Area closures remain in effect from both fires, particularly affecting the Santa Lucia and Mt. Pinos Ranger Districts. Fire restrictions are active forest-wide through January 31, 2026, with additional restrictions in Santa Barbara front country through February 26, 2026 - campfires prohibited except at developed sites. The Sespe Condor Sanctuary remains closed to protect California Condor recovery. Highway 1 has partial closures near Big Sur due to rockslides. Many seasonal gates close December 1 and reopen May 1. Most recreation sites and campgrounds are open, though some areas like Figueroa Mountain trails, Lake Fire areas, and storm-damaged sections remain closed. Check district-specific conditions as accessibility varies significantly - the forest spans four distinct ranger districts with independent status updates.

Campgrounds

Aliso Park Campground American Canyon Arroyo Seco Arroyo Seco Group Campground Baja Ballinger Campground Barrel Springs Bates Canyon Bottchers Gap Brookshire Buck Spring CHULA VISTA Caballo Campground Campo Alto Campground Cerro Alto Campground China Camp Campground Chuchupate Campground Davy Brown Campground Dome Springs Campground Dutchman Campground Escondido Campground Figueroa Fremont Campground Goldhill Camping Area Halfmoon Campground Hardluck Holiday Group Campground Horseshoe Springs Campground

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