After increase in fire activity across the forest, a heat wave in late June that has sped up the drying trends in vegetation and caused rapid down turns in live fuel moistures, along with the above average grass crops this year Fire Managers have decided to implement restrictions on recreational target shooting restriction within the San Bernardino National Forest.
“Our number one priority is always the safety of our firefighters and the public we serve which is why we have decided that restrictions for recreational shooting is necessary at this time” said Dan O’Connor the fuels and fire prevention officer on the San Bernardino National Forest.
The recreational target shooting restrictions are effective July 22, 2017 on all San Bernardino National Forest lands are as follows:
- Discharging a firearm is prohibited
- Persons exempt from this restriction include:
- Any federal, state or local officer or member of an organized rescue or firefighting force in the performance of an official duty.
- Persons with a permit from the Forest Service specifically authorizing the prohibited act or omission.
- Persons engaged in lawful hunting are exempt from this prohibition.
The US Forest Service will be aggressively citing those who do not comply with the posted restrictions. Violation of these prohibitions is subject to punishment by a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than six months or both, as Class B misdemeanors under federal law. Persons may also be responsible for resource damage, suppression costs and any injuries that occur if they are found liable for causing a wildfire.
