North County Times

A popular target shooting area north of Ramona is closed until November in an effort to prevent wildfires, according to officials of the Cleveland National Forest.

The Orosco Ridge Recreational Target Shooting area, which extends north of Ramona through Pamo Valley, already has been the site of two fires this month, officials said.

Last year, several fires sparked on the ridge because of target shooting activity, they said.

The prohibition on target shooting on the Orosco Ridge does not affect legal hunting activity, though gate closures to the ridge may affect access to some hunting areas, officials said.

Contact the Palomar Ranger District at 760-788-0250.