The state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife ordered the closure until further notice.

The closure includes the Kuaokala, Mokule'ia, Makua-Kea'au, Wai'anae and Nanakuli Forest Reserves and the Kuaokala game management area. These areas are now closed to hiking, camping, hunting and all public activity, and permits have been canceled. The scheduled game bird hunt in Kuaokala GMA, which was set to open the first weekend in November, has been suspended until the closure is lifted.

"Due to ongoing dry conditions and out of concern for public safety, we believe that the closure is in the best interest of the environment and its users," said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR chairwoman.