Kernville, CA., September 3, 2009...Labor Day weekend has historically been one of the busiest weekends of the year in the Giant Sequoia National Monument, Sequoia National Forest. In order to ensure a camping spot, advanced reservations are recommended by calling 1-877-444-6777 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.recreation.gov

Dispersed camping is available most anywhere in the National Forest. A campfire permit is required for campfires, barbeques, and stoves. Permits can be picked up, free of charge, from any Forest Service office or on the Sequoia National Forest website http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sequoia

Fire officials urge the public to "Please Be Fire Safe," when visiting our forests and public lands. Wildfires can be damaging. The personal liability can be enormous for the cost of suppression and damages caused by any wildfire that starts by accident or by negligence. It's a clear choice … "Be Fire Wise!!!"

Off-highway vehicle use is restricted to roads within the Giant Sequoia National Monument. Mountain-bike use is restricted to trails and roads. Trails where mountain-bike use is prohibited are signed. Possessing or storing alcoholic beverages in glass containers is prohibited along the Tule River from Wishon Campground to its intersection with Highway 190 and from the Forest Service boundary along Highway 190 to the Moorehouse Fish Hatchery located just below Camp Nelson.

On the Hume Lake District there will be naturalist programs at Hume Lake, Princess, and Stony Creek Campgrounds on Saturday. Please check at the campground kiosk for more information. The programs are free and all are invited.

The Forest Service office in Dunlap will be open for visitors on Saturday September 5th, and closed Sunday and Monday September 6, and 7th. For more information about the Hume Lake Ranger District please call (559) 338-2251. The Springville office will be closed over the holiday weekend, for more information about the Western Divide Ranger District please call (559) 539-2607.