San Bernardino National Forest Campfire Information
Release Date: Sep 27, 2013
San Bernardino National Forest prepared for Hot Weather and Seasonal Santa Ana Winds
San Bernardino, Calif., September 27, 2013 – In preparation for forecasted hot dry weather with Santa Ana winds, the San Bernardino National Forest is bolstering its fire response readiness with additional firefighters, aircraft, and extended patrols.
Weather forecasts are calling for an extended period of hot and dry weather, combined with Santa Ana winds, marking the first Santa Ana wind event of the year. In response, the San Bernardino National Forest, has extended staffing and brought in additional firefighters from Northern California. Additional Airtankers have been prepositioned at San Bernardino Tankerbase to supplement the forest firefighting resources.
“We are ramping up our resources and staffing to be best prepared for the forecasted weather,” said Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron. “As always, we also ask the public to remain vigilant in fire prevention, by being careful and reporting suspicious activities immediately.”
Forest visitors are reminded to exercise caution on the National Forest as we have reached the peak of the fire season, with hot weather, low humidity and dry winds typical of this time of the year. Current fire restriction and guidelines in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:
CAMPING - PICNIC - DAY USE
· Developed Campgrounds - Wood and charcoal fires are permitted within agency provided fire rings and campstoves - (See exceptions below for Mountaintop Ranger District)
· Picnic Areas - Wood and charcoal fires are permitted within agency provided fire rings and campstoves.
· Yellow Post Sites - NO Wood or charcoal fires, Propane and gas stoves only, with a valid California Campfire Permit.
· Walk/hike-in camps on the Mountaintop Ranger District - No wood or charcoal fires at the following sites:
1. Fisherman’s Group Camp west of Green Valley Lake
2. Holcomb PCT Trail Camp north of Green Valley Lake
3. Bench PCT Camp north of Green Valley Lake
4. Little Bear Springs PCT Camp north of Fawnskin
5. Double PCT Camp north of Baldwin Lake
6. Arraste (Deer Springs) PCT Camp north of Onyx Peak
7. Wildhorse Trail Camp near Sugarloaf Mountain
8. Mission Springs PCT Camp east of Barton Flats
· Campfire permits are required for Propane and gas stoves used outside of developed recreation sites.
· Organizational Camps are subject to Forest Service fire permits.
· Big Tree Cucamonga Forest Road 1N34 is closed to motorized vehicles at Lytle Creek Road during wind events.
· Sapphire Falls in Cucamonga Canyon is closed to human entry and all use.
RECREATIONAL SHOOTING – HUNTING
· Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated by concessionaire or special use permits only.
· Hunting is permitted, subject to California Fish & Wildlife Regulations.
· Tracer, armor piercing, steel core, and Teflon ammunitions are always prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target.
OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES - GENERATORS – CHAINSAWS
· An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles.
SMOKING
· Smoking is limited to enclosed buildings, inside vehicles and developed recreation sites.
FIREWORKS
· Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.·
Fire Restrictions and Forest Regulations are strictly enforced; forest visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the local Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions.
Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center 909-382-2790
Idyllwild Ranger Station 909-382-2922
Lytle Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2852
Mill Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2882
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument 760-862-9984
For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit:www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf
About the U.S. Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest
The San Bernardino National Forest is comprised of three Ranger Districts spanning 679,380 acres in San Bernardino and Riverside counties. From the desert floor to the pristine mountain peaks, the San Bernardino National Forest offers natural environments, spectacular scenery, developed campgrounds and picnic areas, numerous recreational opportunities, and the solitude of quiet wilderness and open space for the over 24 million residents of Southern California and those visiting the area. The forest environment also provides habitat for numerous plants and animals and is crucial in sustaining drinking water, air, and soil quality. Learn more at http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf
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