Most of California has been relatively free of major fires, at least compared to recent past years. And to help keep it that way, most, and perhaps all, of the national forests have recently imposed restrictions on campfires and other activities that can cause wildfires. I know for sure that Shasta-Trinity National Forest, Klamath National Forest, Mendocino National Forest, Six Rivers National Forest, and Plumas National Forest have done so, and my guess is that the others have or soon will.
Here’s the press release about campfire and other fire restrictions on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest:
Fire Restrictions in effect July 31, 2009
REDDING, Calif. (July 31, 2009) – Fire officials from the Shasta-Trinity National Forest announced that fire restrictions begin at midnight tonight within the Forest except for the Trinity Alps Wilderness. This decision is based on current fire activity, persistent drought conditions, increasing fire danger indices and dry forest vegetation.
Fire restrictions include:
No campfires or charcoal fires except inside established campfire sites within Forest Service developed campgrounds and other developed recreation sites and designated fire safe sites.
Campfires will not be allowed in the Yolla Bolla-Middle Eel, Chanchelulla, Castle Crags or Mount Shasta Wildernesses.
Smoking will be confined to enclosed vehicles or buildings, developed recreation sites and other designated fire-safe sites.
Use of internal combustion engines is prohibited, except on roads and designated trails. All engines must be equipped with spark-arresting devices.
Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch device with an open flame is prohibited.
Where campfires are not explicitly prohibited, campfire permits are required and available at no cost at all Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and CAL FIRE offices. Permits are also available from campground hosts and Forest Service field personnel. The permit must be obtained in person.
Persons without a permit may be subject to a fine, six months in jail or both. If a person is found to have caused a wildfire they can be held liable for firefighting costs.
Other restrictions apply in the Trinity Alps Wilderness. Contact the local ranger station in Weaverville (530) 623-2121 or Big Bar (530) 623-6123 for area specific information.
In addition to designated campgrounds, visitors may camp almost anywhere on National Forest lands with some restrictions. Campsites must be at least 100 yards away from a developed campground in areas of the forest free from signage designating the area as being closed to camping. Visitors interested in camping outside of designated areas should contact the local Forest Service office for updated fire information, campfire permits and current restrictions in place.
Visitors are advised the monetary penalties for those in possession or discharge of fireworks on federal lands can range up to $5,000 and/or six-months in jail. Additionally, if a wildfire results from an individual’s use of fireworks, that person can be found liable for the cost of suppressing the fire.
For more information contact your local ranger station or visit the Shasta-Trinity National Forest website www.fs.fed.us/r5/shastatrinity.
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It bugs me how more and more people these days don’t seem to know how to clean up a after a camp-fire.
I remember in my early days of camping on school trips, cleaning up a camp site and putting out a camp-fire safely were really emphasised.
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