Photo by Jeff Haight Adam Buxbaum, in tye die shirt, is one of many in the Rainbow Family of Living Light who has arrived in the Allegheny National Forest this week.

The U.S. Forest Service issued an incident update late Tuesday regarding a gathering of the Rainbow Family of Living Light.

The update came after the Times Observer reported the group was gathering in the Allegheny National Forest. The gathering is forming on the Bradford Ranger District six miles east of Tidioute in Warren County along Forest Road 119 with 81 people estimated to be in the forest as of Tuesday night.

“We have mobilized a National Incident Management Team, which has experience with gatherings of this size,” the incident update states. “The team is working side-by-side with tribal, state, county and local partners, sharing updates, setting safety measures and enforcing the law to reduce impacts to the land and nearby communities.”

The Rainbow Family of Living Light gathers annually on a national forest. The gathering took place in the ANF before starting in 1986. Then again in 1999 when an estimated 20,000 attendees gathered in Elk County deep in the forest. In 2010, an estimated 12,000 attended the national gathering in Warren County. Finally, in 2021 there was a smaller regional gathering in the woods near Marienville. That event drew roughly 1,000. The highlight of the event comes on July 4, where from daybreak until noon, the camp is silent. There is no talking or playing of any musical instruments.

The Allegheny National Forest’s response is not unusual and is prompted by the Rainbow Family’s refusal to obtain permits that are required for large groups to gather in national forests. Because no permit is filed the gatherings are classified as unauthorized noncommercial group incidents that can lead to citations for illegal camping, building unauthorized structures like latrines or ovens or engaging in other prohibited activities. Area closures are also common to prevent ecological damage or control crowds in specific forest sections where the group intends to camp. Anyone who remains in a closed area can face fines.

“Groups of 75 or more on National Forest System lands must have a noncommercial group-use permit,” the incident report states. “The Rainbow Family has historically declined to obtain a permit, stating they have no leaders to sign; courts have upheld the Forest Service’s authority to require and enforce permits for large group use.”

Forest Service officials expect a steady buildup of participants in the area. Gatherings of the Rainbow Family can affect traffic, local businesses and access to forest roads and recreation sites.

“Expect congestion, temporary road closures or detours as needed to keep people safe and protect resources,” the incident update states.