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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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2024 Rose Parade
Come join us on New Year's Day 2024 for the Rose Parade featuring the Packstock Center of Excellence and Smokey Bear, who is celebrating his 80th birthday!
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Confronting the Wildfire Crisis
USDA Forest Service announces additional landscapes to address wildfire risk to infrastructure and communities.
Recent News
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Join Us for Smokey Bear’s 80th Birthday at the 135th Annual Rose Parade
Release Date: Nov 30, 2023
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Pacific Southwest Region Welcomes Jay Kurth as Deputy Director for Fire, Fuels, and Aviation Management
Release Date: Nov 20, 2023
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
I Feel the Need, the Need for Seed
The camps are built around a day in the classroom and a day in the field. Participants network and learn from industry experts from various agencies.
Resource Assistants Take the Classroom Outdoors
Meet Farrah Masoumi, Tahoe National Forest's Conservation Education Program Manager.
Thriving Forests Rely on Thriving Forest Products — From Surfboards to Biofuels
The USDA Forest Service and partners are constantly exploring new ways to grow markets that can support healthy forests.
Wildfire and Wool: How grazing on national forests is a win-win
Forests are managed to allow grazing to co-mingle with other forest uses, such as recreation.