Los Padres National Forest officials raise fire restrictions
Los Padres Forest officials have raised fire restrictions throughout the forest due to the increasing potential of wildfires starting.
The restrictions affect the use of campfires, smoking materials, and internal combustion engines.
“The moisture levels are approaching a critical threshold, said Los Padres Deputy Forest Fire Management Officer Jim Harris. “Combine that with warm temperatures and high winds and we have all the ingredients for fire starts. The most important thing is for forest visitors to be aware of their surroundings and exercise caution when conditions are ripe for a wildfire.”
These restrictions will be in place until the end of the fire season in late autumn, Forest officials say.
Here are the restrictions:
No open fires, campfires or charcoal fires will be permitted outside of developed recreation sites or designated Campfire Use Sites (list attached), 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 and at any Forest Service office. 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.
For a list of designated Camp Fire use sites, click here.
To read the official fire restrictions, click here.
