LOS ANGELES AND VENTURA COUNTIES — Four public land agencies announced a coordinated procedure on October 14, 2026 for closing portions of the Santa Monica Mountains during National Weather Service red flag warnings. The rule affects how hikers, riders, event organizers and other visitors should plan trips during periods of severe wildfire risk.
Which parks are involved?
California State Parks named Leo Carrillo, Malibu Creek, Point Mugu and Topanga state parks, as well as Will Rogers and Santa Susana Pass state historic parks. The partners include the National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. A common protocol does not mean every listed park closes whenever any red flag warning is issued.
How are closure decisions made?
Agency managers review official National Weather Service Los Angeles/Oxnard forecasts, including the geographic extent and severity of the fire-weather warning. Decisions may be made daily, with notice issued the previous day where possible. An affected parkland may remain closed for the full day even when the warning covers only part of that day.
What might close?
Trails, backcountry, visitor centers, parking, permitted events, volunteer programs and field trips may be suspended. Public roads, some developed lots, beaches and campgrounds may remain open depending on the specific park and conditions. Do not assume that a beach being open means an adjacent hillside trail is accessible.
How to check before leaving home
Look up the individual destination on the California State Parks site and check current National Weather Service warnings at weather.gov/lox. Some closed areas may not be gated or signed, so absence of a physical barrier does not mean public access is allowed.
This article explains an ongoing closure protocol, not a claim that all listed parks are closed today. It applies particularly to local travel planning for Malibu, Topanga, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks and nearby communities.
Source: California State Parks October 14, 2026 news release.
Cover photo: an archival view of the Santa Monica Mountains, not a live closure or wildfire scene. Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0 (resized).
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