San Bernardino National Forest Reduces Fire Restrictions

SAN BERNARDINO>> Recent rain and snow across the southland, has moderated fire danger leading fire officials on the San Bernardino National Forest to scale back fire restrictions, effective Friday, Dec. 9. As a result of lowering the fire restrictions, visitors may, once again, have wood and charcoal fires in agency-provided campfire rings at campgrounds, picnic areas and yellow post sites. Recreational target shooting is permitted within designated shooting sites and at public shooting ranges. “After a particularly difficult year, I am happy that conditions have moderated enough for us to scale back the fire restrictions,” said Forest Supervisor Jody Noiron. “However, since conditions can change rapidly, we ask the public to always ‘know before you go’ by contacting us before planning your forest visit.” Currently, wood and charcoal campfires are allowed only in developed campgrounds, picnic areas and Yellow Post campsites within agency-provided fire rings or designated stoves. Campfire permits are required for propane and gas stoves and lanterns used outside of developed recreation sites. Recreational shooting is limited to designated sites and public shooting ranges operated under special use permit only, except for those engaged in legal hunting. Smoking is limited to enclosed vehicles, developed recreation sites and areas cleared of vegetation, three feet in diameter. An approved spark arrester is required for any internal combustion engine operated on designated forest routes. These include chainsaws, generators, motorcycles, and off-highway vehicles. Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest. Tracer, armor piercing, steel core and Teflon ammunitions are also prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target. For more information, please contact your local forest office.