Forest officials have announced that fire restrictions will go into effect on the Lassen National Forest beginning this Monday, August 1st, and continuing through the declared end of the 2016 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.
“Seasonal drying combined with cumulative drought effects make a new fire start very likely to exhibit extreme fire behavior,” said Lassen National Forest Supervisor Dave Hays. “We expect hot and dry weather conditions to continue through the summer months and into fall.”
Highlights of the restrictions in effect include:
• Open fires are prohibited outside of designated, developed campgrounds and camp sites, even with a valid California campfire permit. Designated Recreation Sites are exempted from fire restrictions because fuel management within these areas 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.
• Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other explosive is prohibited on national forest land.
• The use of chainsaws for woodcutting by individuals is permitted only from dawn until 1 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.
The Caribou and Thousand Lakes Wilderness Areas are exempted from these fire restrictions, as is the High Lakes Recreation Area.
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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