Forest Fire
Officials Announce Fire Season
Sonora, CA (May 22, 2008) ... The Forest Service today announced that
effective Sunday, May 25, the Stanislaus National Forest (NF) officially begins
fire season. Forest fire stations will be staffed for five-to-seven day
coverage, firefighting crews readied, and fire prevention patrols deployed in
dispersed camping areas to inform, educate, and enforce fire regulations.
Beginning May 25, the Forest will be fully staffed to address the threat of
wildland fires this season. Firefighting resources include 11 fire engines with
crews, two 20-person hotshot crews, four 10-person fire use crews, two dozers,
and two water tenders. Additionally, fourteen fire prevention patrol units will
be on duty, and fire detection lookout towers at Mount Elizabeth and Smith Peak
will be operational. In June, the Forest’s firefighting capability will be
further augmented by the addition of an initial attack helicopter and 14-person
helitack crew.
The Stanislaus NF fire season announcement closely coordinates with the CAL
FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) Tuolumne-Calaveras
Unit (TCU) declaration announcing summer fire preparedness within its State
Responsibility Areas (SRA). The two agencies cooperate, share firefighting
assets when needed, and work with local counties, fire districts, and Fire Safe
councils to provide for comprehensive community fire protection, and compliance
with fire prevention regulations.
As the two agencies declare fire season and summer preparedness, fire
officials are urging the public, local residents, and Forest visitors to
maintain a heightened sense of awareness with any activity that may start a
wildfire. As conditions continue to become warmer and drier, foothill and forest
vegetation becomes more flammable, bringing the increasing threat of easily
ignited accidental fires. Due to recent windy, extremely dry conditions,
combined with low fuel moisture early this season, debris burning permits were
suspended within the SRA on May 6.
Campfire permits have been required on the Stanislaus National Forest since
May 1, and Forest fire officials are asking campers and all outdoor
recreationists to be extra careful with campfires and barbeques again this
summer.
Campfire Permits Required Outside Developed Campgrounds
Fire officials point out that extremely low rainfall has resulted in
early-season dry conditions that would normally be considered above average for
the month of June. Fire danger is expected to increase rapidly, with fire
restrictions likely as days become longer, hotter, and drier. Forest visitors
are encouraged to check with the Ranger Station nearest their planned
destination to learn about the best places to camp, obtain campfire permits,
receive an update on the current fire danger, and check to see if fire
restrictions are in effect.
Forest fire officials are urging visitors to exercise extra caution to
prevent their campfires and barbeques from escaping and causing accidental
wildland fires. Always obtain a California Campfire Permit, where required, and
carefully follow the permit terms, including fire prevention rules during fire
restrictions.
- Always clear away all flammable vegetation to bare mineral soil 5 feet
around campfires.
- Always extinguish all campfires and briquette barbeques with at least 5
gallons of water.
- Never build a campfire under overhanging tree limbs or near brush.
- Never build or maintain a campfire on a hot, dry, windy afternoon.
- Never leave a burning or smoldering campfire unattended—not even for one
minute
- Always be sure your campfire and briquettes are out, dead out, before
leaving camp at any time.
Campfire permits can be obtained for free at any USDA Forest Service or CAL
FIRE office. For more information on outdoor recreation opportunities, call
(209) 532-3671, or visit our Forest web site.
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