Ft. Tejon Park Is Closed 2 to 4 Weeks After Plague Is Discovered in Squirrels

Fearing transmission of plague by wild rodents and fleas, state officials have closed Ft. Tejon State Historic Park for two to four weeks.

The state’s Department of Health Service found plague among the park’s population of Beechy ground squirrels, the Department of Parks and Recreation said in a release Wednesday.

The parks department is working with the health agency to control the plague, the release said. Fleas will be attacked with insecticide dust.

The 139th Ft. Tejon Anniversary Celebration scheduled for Sunday has been canceled, officials said. Ft. Tejon is on Interstate 5 at the Los Angeles-Kern County line.