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.
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