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Fire Restrictions help land management agencies reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high or extreme fire danger.
Fire restrictions often change quickly due to variable weather conditions and all or some of the following activities may be in effect:
- No open flame that is not in permanently constructed fire ring in a developed recreation site (such as a campground or picnic area.)
- No building, maintaining or using a fire, campfire, charcoal broiler or a coal or wood burning stove anywhere on public lands including campgrounds. [People can still use petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns and heating devices anywhere, and resident owners and lessees of land within the restricted area can have fires within a residence].
- No smoking unless in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or within a three foot diameter cleared to mineral soil.
- Operating or using internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed maintained an in effective working order.
Stage 1 Fire Restrictions help land management agencies reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme danger.
Prohibitions
- Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. 36 CFR 261.52 (a) This includes charcoal barbecues and grills EXCEPT: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed recreation sites and the use of portable stoves, lanterns using gas, jellied petroleum, pressurized liquid fuel or a fully enclosed (sheepherder type) stove with a ¼” spark arrester type screen is permitted.
- Smoking, except in 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. 36 CFR 261(b).
- Operating a chainsaw without a USDA or SAE approved spark arrester properly installed and in effective working order, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher kept with the operator, and one round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR 261.52(h).
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame except in cleared areas of at least 10 feet in diameter and in possession of a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher. 36 CFR 261.52(i)
- Using an explosive. 36 CFR 261.52 (b)
Exemptions
- Persons with a valid Forest Service permit or contract specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission may be eligible for an exemption from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4 and #5. Any exemption must be applied for writing, include an appropriate mitigation plan and must be authorized in writing by the appropriate Forest Service official. The authorization must be in the physical possession of the person or persons undertaking the exempted activities.
- Any federal, state or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty is exempt from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4 and #5.
Stage 2 Fire Restrictions help land management agencies reduce fire risk and prevent wildfires during periods of high to extreme fire danger.
Prohibitions
- Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire 36 CFR 261.52(a). This includes charcoal grills and barbecues, coal and wood burning stoves and sheepherder’s stoves and includes use in developed camping and picnic grounds. EXCEPT: Devices using pressurized liquid or gas (stoves, grills or lanterns) that include shut-off valves are permitted when used in an area at least three feet or more from flammable material such as grasses or pine needles.
- Smoking. 36 CFR 261.52(c) EXCEPT: Within enclosed vehicle, trailer or building.
- Welding or operating acetylene or other torch with open flame. 36 CFR 261.52(i).
- Operating or using any internal combustion engine (e.g. chainsaw, generator, ATV) without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order meeting either:
- Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Standard 5100-1a; or
- Appropriate Society of automotive Engineers (SAE) recommended practice J335(b) and J350(a). 36 CFR 261.52(j)
- Operating a chainsaw without an approved spark arresting device as described in Prohibition #4, a chemical pressurized fire extinguisher (8 oz. capacity by weight or larger and kept with the operator) and a round point shovel with an overall length of at least 35 inches readily available for use. 36 CFR 261.52(h).
- Using an explosive. 36 CFR 261.52(b). This includes but is not limited to fuses or blasting caps, fireworks, rockets, exploding targets, and tracers or incendiary.
- Possessing or using a motor vehicle off established roads, motorized trails or established parking areas, except when parking in an area devoid or vegetation within 10 feet of the vehicle. 36 CFR 261.52
Exemptions
- Persons with a valid Forest Service permit or contract specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited act or omission may be eligible for an exemption from Prohibitions #1, #3, #4, #5, #6 and #7. Any exemption must be applied for in writing, include an appropriate mitigation plan and must be authorized in writing by the appropriate Forest Service official. The authorization must be in the physical possession of the person or persons undertaking the exempted activities.
- Any Federal, State or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty is exempt from Prohibitions #1, #3, #5, #6 and #7.
- Residents, owners or lessees within the restricted area are exempt from #1, provided such fires are within a permanent dwelling and there is a spark arrestor in working order on the chimney.
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