Stanislaus National Forest

News Release

USDA Forest Service
Stanislaus National Forest

Fire Restrictions Go Into Effect in High Hazard Areas

Sonora, CA (June 19,  2008) ... The Forest Service today announced that, because of high fire danger, effective Wednesday, June 25, 2008 a Forest Order enacting temporary fire restrictions will go into effect in High Hazard Areas of the Stanislaus National Forest (NF).

The fire restriction prohibits campfires, briquette barbecues, and smoking outside developed campgrounds in designated High Hazard Areas of the Forest. Welding and blasting also are prohibited, except by special permit. Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski noted, “Hot, dry weather and tinder-dry conditions continue to persist in high hazard areas of the Forest. This Forest Order serves as an extra measure to help reduce the potential for large and damaging wildfires. We are asking the public's cooperation in helping us prevent destructive fires before they start.”

Beginning at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, June 25, 2008, the following prohibitions will go into effect by Forest Order in designated High Hazard Areas on the Groveland, Mi-Wok, Summit, and Calaveras Ranger Districts of the Stanislaus National Forest:

Campfires. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, (including briquette type barbecue), or stove fire is prohibited, except within developed recreation sites. Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use a portable stove or lantern that uses gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel. [36 CFR 261.52 (a)]. Additionally, campfires are not permitted in Moore Creek Campground on the Calaveras Ranger District of the Stanislaus National Forest.

Smoking. Smoking is prohibited, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material [36 CFR 261.52 (d)].

Welding. Operating acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited, except by permit [36 CFR 261.52 (i)].

Use of Explosives. Using an explosive is prohibited, except by permit [36 CFR 261.52 (b)]. Violations of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both [16 USC 551; and 18 USC 3559; and 18 USC 3571].

These temporary fire restrictions will remain in effect until the end of the 2008 fire season, or otherwise terminated. Copies of the Forest Order and maps displaying the fire hazard zones are available for viewing at Forest Offices in Sonora, Mi-Wuk Village, Pinecrest, Groveland, and Hathaway Pines.

These temporary fire restrictions by Forest Order suspend open campfires in high hazard areas, except in developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A list of designated campgrounds is available at the above Forest Service offices.

The restrictions on open sources of fire in the High Hazard area will be actively patrolled by Stanislaus Forest Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Prevention specialists. Persons who knowingly violate these restrictions on open sources of fire may be cited by Forest Officers.

Outside the National Forest, on lands protected by CAL FIRE, all burning permits were suspended in early May, 2008. According to Tuolumne Calaveras Unit Chief Mike Noonan all burning permits within the State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne, Calaveras, Eastern San Joaquin, and Eastern Stanislaus Counties have been suspended. This suspension also applies to Mariposa County within the CAL FIRE Madera Mariposa Merced Unit.

The CAL FIRE open burning suspension does not include campfires in organized campsites open to the public, or on private property if the purpose of the campfire is for cooking or providing warmth and is maintained in such a manner as to prevent the campfire from spreading to the wildland vegetation.

Personal use fuel wood cutting with a chainsaw is permissible on Stanislaus National Forest Land, with a valid permit. Personal use woodcutters should check in advance by calling (209) 532-5601 for recorded daily fire danger and wood cutting information.