High Fire Season closes in Los Padres National Forest

Thursday, December 20, 2007

High Fire Season closes in Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest News - High Fire Season closes in
Low Fire Season Conditions are now in effect on the Los Padres National Forest.

Date: December 20, 2007 Los Padres National Forest

6755 Hollister Ave. #150

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Goleta, CA 93117

CONTACT: Joe Pasinato 805-961-5745 www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres

High Fire Season closes in Los Padres National Forest

GOLETA…Los Padres National Forest officials announced today that the forest will move from High Fire Season to Low Fire Season, effective Friday, December 21, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. Forest Supervisor Peggy Hernandez stated, “It is now possible for the forest to be able to move from High Fire Season, to Low Fire Season, because of cooler weather, rainfall totals which have risen sufficiently throughout the forest, and improved fuel moisture”.

As of Friday, December 21, 2007 at 8:00 am:

Wood burning campfires and charcoal barbecues will be allowed in areas other than Campfire Use Sites, with a valid California Campfire Permit. Permits and a list of Campfire Use Sites may be obtained at any office of the Los Padres National Forest, or on the internet at: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/lospadres. All flammable material must be cleared for a minimum of five feet in all directions from the fire and a shovel must be available for preparing and extinguishing the fire. A responsible person must be in attendance of the fire at all times and when departing the area, the fire must be extinguished with water, using the drown, stir and feel method.

The area closed by the Ranch Fire will be re-opened to the public. The public is reminded that road work unassociated with the fire is still in progress on Squaw Flat Road until the end of February.

Permits will be issued to private landowners within the Los Padres National Forest boundary, to allow for burning of vegetation debris.

With the ending of High Fire Season, fewer resources will be dispatched to initial reports of smoke or fire, but the public is reminded that wildfires can still occur and to please continue to be cautious and alert when using any type of fire. Weather conditions that produce low humidity or significant winds can easily raise the fire danger rating in a short period of time. In years past, some serious wildfires have occurred during the winter months.

For information about current fire and weather conditions, visitors are encouraged to contact the Ranger District Office nearest to the area that they are planning on visiting.

Monterey Ranger District: 831-385-5434 Ojai Ranger District: 805-646-4348

Santa Lucia Ranger District: 805-925-9538 Mt. Pinos Ranger District: 661-245-3731

Santa Barbara Ranger District: 805-967-3481 Forest Supervisor's Office: 805-968-6640

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Zaca Fire Information
A large area of Los Padres National Forest surrounding the Zaca Fire has been reopened. However, the burned area and some adjacent lands will remain closed through the rainy season

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Thursday, December 20, 2007