Lassen National Forest to enter fire restrictions on July 21

 

SUSANVILLE, Calif., July 17, 2017 – Forest officials have announced that fire restrictions will go into effect on the Lassen National Forest beginning Friday, July 21, 2017 and continuing through the declared end of the 2017 fire season.

The restrictions address campfire use, off-road driving, smoking, woodcutting, and other activities on the Forest.  Such restrictions are ordered every year when temperatures rise and cause the forest to dry out and become much more susceptible to wildfires. 
 
Highlights of the restrictions include:

• Open fires are prohibited outside of designated, developed campgrounds and camp sites, even with a valid California campfire permit.  Designated Recreation Sites (Order 06-17-02, exhibit A) are exempted from fire restrictions because fuel management within these areas decreases the likelihood of fire start and subsequent transfer to wildland. The Caribou and Thousand Lakes Wilderness Areas are exempted; the past winter has moderated the susceptibility of fuel conditions to fire slightly, and visitor use is low. The designated area map for the High Lakes Recreation Area (Order 06-17-02, exhibit A) is exempted because the fuel arrangement within the area decreases the likelihood of fire start and subsequent transfer to wildland.


• Smoking is prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site.

 

• Operating an internal combustion engine, except a motor vehicle, is prohibited outside designated recreation sites. 


• Motor vehicles are allowed only on established Forest System roads and trails or within designated recreation sites. 


• Welding and operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame is prohibited.


• The use of chainsaws for woodcutting by individuals is permitted only from dawn until 1:00 PM, a provision known as “hoot owl.” Operators must have valid Forest Service fuelwood permits, and chainsaws must have spark arresters. Fire officials urge woodcutters to cut firewood early in the day. 

 
Additional information is available by contacting any Forest office:
 

• Forest Headquarters                      (530) 257-2151
• Almanor Ranger District                (530) 258-2141
• Eagle Lake Ranger District             (530) 257-4188
• Hat Creek Ranger District              (530) 336-5521

 
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