Fire restrictions increase immediately at Los Padres National Forest

SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. - As the risk of wildfire increases across California, Los Padres National Forest officials decided to raise fire restrictions throughout the forest starting Tuesday.

These restrictions will affect the use of campfires, stoves, smoking materials and internal combustion engines.

They will remain in effect until the end of fire season in late autumn.

The restrictions include the following:

• No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites, even with a valid California Campfire Permit. Lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel will be permitted, but only with a valid California Campfire Permit, which are available free-of-charge on the Forest website. Forest visitors must clear all flammable material for five feet in all directions from their camp stove, have a shovel available, and ensure that a responsible person attends the stove at all times during use. 
• Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or a designated Campfire Use Site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material. 
• Internal combustion engines may be operated only on roads or designated trails. This restriction is in effect year-round. Please make sure your engine is tuned, operating properly, and has an approved spark arrester.
• Fireworks – even the “safe and sane” variety – are not permitted at any time or in any location within the Forest.
• Recreational target shooting remains prohibited within Los Padres National Forest except for the two areas under special use permit, i.e., Winchester Canyon Gun Club and the Ojai Valley Gun Club.

For a list of Developed Recreation Sites and Campfire Use Sites in Los Padres National Forest, or further information regarding Fire-Safe Camping, visit www.fs.usda.gov/lpnf or contact the U.S. Forest Service district office nearest to you.