The world famous King of the Hammers ramps up Thursday (January 29) and continues through February 7. The internationally recognized off-road rock crawl and race series draws thousands of participants and viewers from all over the United StatesIt takes place in the Johnson Valley OHV area, North of Joshua Tree and out near Landers. Approximately 81,000 acres of the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area will be closed during the event, while 46,000 acres remain open to the public. The Morongo Basin California Highway Patrol, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County Fire Department, Bureau of Land Management, California State Parks and Morongo Basin Ambulance will be stepping up patrols to provide increased enforcement and assistance in our area. As a reminder, the Johnson Valley Shared Use Area will be temporarily closed to the public on February 12 to the 26 for Marine Corps Training.