Fire Restrictions to be Lifted in Moderate Hazard Areas

Release Date: Sep 25, 2013
Contact(s): Public Affairs Office, (209) 532-3671 ext. 244

Sonora, Calif…The Forest Service today announced that due to shorter days, cooler weather, and higher humidity, fire restrictions in effect by Forest Order since August 8, are to be lifted effective Thursday, September 26, within the Moderate Hazard Areas of the Stanislaus National Forest (NF). Upon lifting of the restriction visitors may 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 very dry, and fire restrictions in the High Hazard areas 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 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. In early summer, 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.