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It's been nearly three weeks since access to the Sabino Canyon recreation area was restricted due to damage from heavy rainfall, but officials have found that a number of people are disregarding signs, sneaking into closed-off areas.

Those who do not abide by the closure signs are not only risking serious injury or death with the possibility of flash flooding and roadways eroding, but hefty fines that range from $250 to $5,000 or jail time, as well.

The shuttle road north of Rattlesnake Bridge is covered with fallen trees and saguaros, large boulders, mud and sand. Large areas of the road are undercut by the rushing water and rocks, and have large cracks in them. The edges of the road are eroding and could give way easily under the weight of a person, said Marylee Peterson, a spokeswoman for the Coronado National Forest.

"I think most people who are sneaking in are just curious; they want to see what damage has been done, and others just think they can handle the conditions," Peterson said. "They really shouldn't do it for any reason; it is not safe."

On Friday, three people were cited for entering a closed-off area, Peterson said. She could not provide the number of people who have been cited since the closures took effect.

The U.S. Forest Service has the legal authority to close its parks when there is a concern for public safety whether it be due to extensive damage to the park or an increasing threat from wild animals, she said.

Ross Zimmerman, a trail runner, has lived in Tucson since 1978 and said that while he sees the importance of obeying the closures, he can understand why some may be willing to risk it.

"I went up to Sabino the day before they closed it, and the damage just made it more fun to run up," Zimmerman said. "The problem is, if you don't know what your are doing and trails are damaged and chunks of road are missing, you could get yourself into trouble."

Claudia Weaver, an avid hiker who has lived in Tucson for six years, said she has not gone up to Sabino Canyon since the closures, but has heard of others who have.

"I think it has a lot to do with them wanting to see the damage personally," she said. "For me, basically the danger and the fact that the Forest Service has requested it, is enough to stay away."

The Forest Service could not give a date as to when the recreation area might reopen but did say that a team of experts is in the process of assessing the damage and will be making recommendations on how to proceed with repairs.

"While forest officials understand the desire of the public to regain use of a favorite recreation spot, the safety of all visitors is of the utmost concern," Peterson said in a news release.

In the meantime, there are a number of hiking and picnicking areas in other districts of the Coronado National Forest that are open, including Sierra Vista, Nogales, Douglas and Safford.

However, you must still use caution and watch for damage, falling trees and rocks on those trails due to loose soils from the rain.

For additional information visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/ coronado.