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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.
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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.
Recent News
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USDA Joint Chiefs’ Funding Asks for Project Proposals to Improve Forest Health in California and Hawaii
Release Date: Jun 13, 2022
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
Bishop Pride Event
On June 4 and 5, a rainbow flag flew above Bishop's Tri-County Fairgrounds –a first-of-its-kind festival for this small California town celebrating the local LGBTQIA+ community.
Building Legacy on the Mendocino National Forest: Hinda Darner and Joseph Chow
Celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Fuels Specialist Hinda Darner and Biologist Joe Chow discuss the paths that led to careers with the Forest Service.
Searching for Bonsai on California’s National Forests: “Every Tree Has a Story”
Californians love the ancient practice of bonsai – and the Forest Service supports these traditions with special use permits that allow a bit of the forest to come into towns and cities.
Urban Forests: Health, Wealth and Resilience
An Interview with Miranda Hutten by Steve Dunsky. Miranda Hutten manages the Urban and Community Forest Program for the Pacific Southwest Region (Region 5) of the U.S. Forest Service.