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US Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region
A diverse landscape awaits
From the tallest mountains to the rolling sea, adventure awaits! The National Forests in California are home to such unique scenic areas as Mt. Shasta, Lake Tahoe, Mt. Whitney, and the Big Sur coast.
Welcome to the Pacific Southwest! The Pacific Southwest Region of the US Forest Service manages 20 million acres of National Forest land in California and assists the State and Private forest landowners in California, Hawaii and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands. Eighteen national forests are located in this region, in the North Coast, Cascade, and Sierra Nevada ranges and from Big Sur to the Mexican border in the south Coast range. Watch a video to find out more about who we are and the work we do.
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Virtual Services
Visit our Recreation Site Status Map and FAQ's for answers to many common visitor questions. If you need assistance or have any questions, please use our contact us form. Versión en Español: Visite el Mapa de Estado Actual de Sitios de Recreación y Preguntas Frecuentes del visitante. Si necesita atención, por favor use nuestro formulario de contacto (inglés únicamente).
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Featured Programs
Region 5 employees work on a wide variety of innovative programs such as these, below.
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Popular Topics
This is a list featuring topics that visitors ask about the most.
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Confronting the Wildfire Crisis
The Forest Service has launched a robust, 10-year strategy to squarely address this wildfire crisis in the places where it poses the most immediate threats to communities.
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Features
Forest Focus: Audio Podcast
Forest Focus is a program about the National Forests in California, featuring specialists that work for the U.S. Forest Service and others who provide viewpoints on Forest Service issues.
California Forest News Video Series
In California Forest News we explore the National Forests in California. In the first episode, ‘California Fire Intensity,’ we examine the combination of factors that exacerbate wildfire intensity and behavior including fuel, wind, terrain, and drought. Thanks for watching!
Spotlights
Behind the Firelines: How Buying Teams Help Save Forests and Communities
U.S. Forest Service buying teams are called onboard from all over the Pacific Southwest Region and beyond, to provide critical support for wildfire firefighting efforts.
Showcasing Female Leadership in honor of Women’s Equality Day
On Women’s Equality Day, we asked some of our talented and experienced female leaders the importance of mentorship and unique role women have in the federal workforce.
The Bear Necessities – A Tale of New Food Lockers on Stanislaus National Forest
Visitors to national forests often expect to see a dumpster, a fire ring, a picnic table, and a bear box to stow their food. But what happens when something is missing?
Monitoring the Giants: Tracking Resilience of Giant Sequoias After Wildfires
The Forest Service is initiating emergency fuels reduction treatments in California to provide for the long-term survival of giant sequoia groves against immediate wildfire threats.