Fire
Restrictions Lifted in High Hazard Areas
Sonora, CA (October 3, 2007) ... The Forest Service today announced
that, due to recent storms and cooler temperatures, fire restrictions in effect
by Forest Order since July 25 are now lifted within the High Hazard Areas of the
Stanislaus National Forest (NF). Visitors can use wood, charcoal, or gas fires
or stoves outside of developed campgrounds as long as they possess a valid
California Campfire Permit and follow the permit regulations.
Forest fire officials emphasize that fuel conditions in most of the forest
are still dry and fire season remains in effect. California Campfire Permits are
required for campfires and barbeques outside developed campgrounds.
Additionally, the suspension on open residential dooryard burning and other
debris burning will continue to remain in effect. Campfire permits may be
obtained at Forest Service and California Department of Forestry and Fire
Protection (CALFIRE) offices.
Visitors and campers are required to first obtain the Campfire Permit, and
follow the terms stated on the Permit when building, using or maintaining a
campfire, briquette barbeque, or gas stove outside developed campgrounds within
the Stanislaus NF.
Campfire Permits require the following:
- Clear all flammable material away from the campfire, barbeque, or gas
stove for a minimum of five feet in all directions, down to bare mineral soil,
to prevent escape of the fire.
- Have a shovel available at the campfire site for preparing and
extinguishing campfires.
- Have a responsible person in attendance at all times (never leave a fire
unattended).
- Extinguish the campfire with plenty of water, using the “drown, stir, and
feel” method.
- During dry, windy weather conditions, avoid building and maintaining
campfires.
Fire prevention officials are asking visitors to make extra sure they clear
down to mineral soil five feet in all directions around their campfire, drown
their campfire with water, and possess a shovel at the campfire site.
Additionally, campfires should never be located near overhanging tree branches,
brush, or other flammable vegetation. Visitors who smoke outside a vehicle are
required to do so within a cleared area of at least 3 feet in diameter. Never
extinguish burning tobacco on or near dry vegetation, an old stump, or decayed
log.
The suspension on open residential dooryard burning remains in effect. Last
June 4, CAL FIRE Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit (TCU) suspended all burning permits
within the State Responsibility Areas of Tuolumne, Calaveras, Eastern San
Joaquin, and Eastern Stanislaus Counties. 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.
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