With Memorial Day weekend coming up, Tulare County officials said Thursday that there won’t be public access to Balch Park and the Mountain Home State Demonstration Forest.

There are locked gates on Bear Creek and Balch Park roads due to unsafe conditions created by heavy snowfall and rain this winter and spring.

“The closure applies to motor vehicles as well as pedestrians, cyclists, and the public in general,” the county said in a news release. “The closure will remain in effect for an undetermined period while crews assess damages and create a schedule for repairs.  Crews anticipate similar destruction (to) which occurred on the lower portion of Bear Creek Road and now has a temporary repair.”

Bear Creek’s lower portion is restricted to use by local residents and CalFire personnel, authorities said.

Officials also reminded drivers to obey road closure signs for their own safety and that of emergency personnel.