9 replies to this topic

[ski3pin]

U.S. Forest Service 

Eldorado National Forest 

100 Forni Road 

Placerville, CA 95667 

530-303-2412

www.fs.usda.gov/eldorado

News Release

For Immediate Release

July 23, 2021

Media Contact: Jennifer Chapman, 530-957-9660

jennifer.chapman@usda.gov

www.facebook.com/EldoradoNF

Twitter:@EldoradoNF

 

 

No Campfires – Increased Fire Restrictions Begin Monday on the Eldorado National Forest 

 

 

PLACERVILLE, Calif. - With record breaking drought conditions causing extremely low fuel moistures, the Eldorado National Forest is increasing its fire restrictions to a forestwide campfire ban, beginning Monday, July 26, 2021. No wood or charcoal fires will be allowed anywhere in the forest under these new restrictions. The restrictions apply to all campgrounds, developed sites, and special use permits.

 

“These restrictions are an immediate way to reduce the potential for wildfire given the conditions of the fuels on the forest,” said Forest Supervisor Jeff Marsolais. “I don’t take lightly the impact this will have on some of the visitors to the Eldorado National Forest, but safety must come first.”

 

These increased fire restrictions are authorized under Forest Order 03-21-12. Under this order, the following acts are prohibited within the Eldorado National Forest beginning Monday, July 26, 2021:

 

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.

 

2. Smoking, 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.

 

3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame.

 

4. Operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order in accordance with U.S. Forest Service standard 5100-1.

 

Persons with a valid California Campfire Permit are not exempt from the prohibitions listed above. However, persons with a valid California Campfire Permit may use a portable propane campfire pit, stove or lantern that uses gas, kerosene, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel, with a shut-off valve, in an area at least three feet from any flammable materials.

 

A violation 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 6 months, or both.

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The U.S.D.A Forest Service is an equal opportunity employer. The mission of the Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations.

 

 

 

[craig333]

Surprised they waited so long.

[ski3pin]

Surprised they waited so long.

Me too.

[ski3pin]

The old usual fine was $375 for a violation. I've seen for the last couple of years it is up to $5000. In regards to campfires the wording is, "Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire". This means very person at a fire, campfire, or stove fire (BBQ) can be fined $5000.

 

Next step, please let us see this aggressively enforced and violators reaching really deep into their wallets.

[PJorgen]

I’m unclear on what the increase is. Aren’t these the usual restrictions?

[ski3pin]

I’m unclear on what the increase is. Aren’t these the usual restrictions?

 

 

No fires anywhere, even in developed campgrounds -

 

"No wood or charcoal fires will be allowed anywhere in the forest under these new restrictions. The restrictions apply to all campgrounds, developed sites, and special use permits."

 

Stage 1 fire restrictions allowed campfires in developed campgrounds with metal fire pits. No more with this next stage. Next restrictions, if needed, will be closing the Forest to all visitors.

 

[ski3pin]

No fires anywhere, even in developed campgrounds -

 

"No wood or charcoal fires will be allowed anywhere in the forest under these new restrictions. The restrictions apply to all campgrounds, developed sites, and special use permits."

 

Stage 1 fire restrictions allowed campfires in developed campgrounds with metal fire pits. No more with this next stage. Next restrictions, if needed, will be closing the Forest to all visitors.

...........also, a "developed site" is anything developed such as campgrounds, picnic areas, boat launches, rental cabins, etc.. Special Use Permits covers outfitter, guides, tour groups, summer homes (cabins) on USFS land, and such.

[craig333]

When I camped on the fourth the fire ring at the campsite I chose still had heat in it. Even a bit of smoke. I immediately doused it with water not only to be fire safe but to avoid a large ticket for someone else's campfire.

[ski3pin]

...................and over on the Toiyabe

 

 

 

 

Bridgeport & Carson Ranger Districts Implement New Fire Restrictions

Bridgeport and Carson Ranger District to Implement Stage II Fire Restrictions on July 29

 

Sparks, NV., July 27, 2021 – In response to the current and growing risk of wildfire, the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest’s Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts are elevating current fire restrictions to Stage II, effective 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, July 29, including all district lands in California and Nevada. The Austin-Tonopah, Ely, Mountain City-Ruby Mountains-Jarbidge and Santa Rosa Ranger Districts, and Spring Mountains National Recreation Area remain in Stage I Fire Restrictions.  

USDA Forest Service land managers increase fire restrictions based on several factors including fire activity levels, current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, and the availability of firefighting resources. Due to the current conditions, there is a likelihood of a fire exhibiting extreme behavior and posing containment problems for firefighters. As such, fire restrictions are necessary to reduce the risk of human-caused fires, in turn enhancing public safety and preserving firefighting forces for longer and more extreme fire seasons.   

Stage II Fire Restrictions prohibit the following:

1. Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire on National Forest System lands. Campfires are prohibited on all lands managed by the Bridgeport and Carson Ranger Districts, including developed recreation sites, campgrounds, and day use areas. This includes twig stoves commonly used by hikers, portable wood/charcoal fire pits and stoves. Portable stoves with contained fuel sources (propane, jellied petroleum, etc.) and an on/off switch are allowed. California campfire permits are required for the use of any portable stove, regardless of fire restriction level, in the state of California.
2. Smoking, outside an enclosed vehicle or building. Exception: smoking while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable materials.
3. Welding, or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame.
4. Using an explosive. Please remember, fireworks and exploding targets are never permitted on public lands.
5. Operating a chainsaw or other equipment powered by an internal combustion engine between 1:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. Woodcutting and other activities need to be completed prior to 1 p.m. daily. It is always prohibited to operate or use any internal or external combustion engine without an approved USDA spark arrestor that is properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order.
6. Operating or parking a vehicle or other motorized equipment over or on top of dried/cured vegetation. Exceptions: Parking in an area devoid of vegetation within 10 feet of the roadway, overnight parking in Forest Service developed campgrounds and at trailheads.

Please obey all fire restrictions. Failure to comply with these restrictions may result in criminal and/or civil penalties, including up to $5,000 in fines and/or six months in jail. In addition, anyone found responsible for starting a wildfire can be held civilly and criminally liable.

The public is the first line of defense in preventing wildfires. Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest fire management and firefighters thank you for recreating responsibly and using extra precaution to prevent wildfires.

For more information regarding fire restrictions on the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest, please visit https://bit.ly/HTNFFireRestrictions or https://bit.ly/FireRestrictionsFAQs for answers to frequently asked questions.

To view current fire restriction orders across land management agencies, visit www.nevadafireinfo.org. For continued updates and to participate in the conversation, follow the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest on Facebook at https://facebook.com...boldtToiyabeNF/ and Twitter at https://twitter.com/HumboldtToiyabe.

 

[PJorgen]

Got it. Thanks for the clarification.