Date: Sep 24, 2010
San Bernardino, Calif., September 24, 2010– In preparation for forecasted hot dry weather with Santa Ana winds, the San Bernardino National Forest is bolstering its fire response readiness with additional firefighters, aircraft, and extended patrols.
Weather forecasts are calling for an extended period of hot and dry weather, combined with Santa Ana winds, marking the first Santa Ana wind event of the year. In response, the San Bernardino National Forest, will extend staffing and bring in additional fire apparatus from northern California to supplement the forest firefighting resources.
“We are ramping up our resources and staffing to be best prepared for the forecasted weather,” said Forest Fire Chief Rocky Opliger. “As always, we also ask the public to remain vigilant in fire prevention, by being careful and reporting suspicious activities immediately.”
Forest visitors are reminded to exercise caution on the National Forest as we have reached the peak of the fire season, with hot weather, low humidity and dry winds typical of this time of the year. Current fire restriction and guidelines in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:
CAMPING - PICNIC - DAY USE
- Developed Campgrounds - Wood and charcoal fires are permitted within agency provided fire rings and campstoves - (See exceptions below for Mountaintop Ranger District)
- Picnic Areas - Wood and charcoal fires are permitted within agency provided fire rings and campstoves.
- Yellow Post Sites - NO Wood or charcoal fires, Propane and gas stoves only, with a valid California Campfire Permit.
- Walk/hike-in camps on the Mountaintop Ranger District - No wood or charcoal fires at the following sites:
- Fisherman’s Group Camp west of Green Valley Lake
- Holcomb PCT Trail Camp north of Green Valley Lake
- Bench PCT Camp north of Green Valley Lake
- Little Bear Springs PCT Camp north of Fawnskin
- Doble PCT Camp north of Baldwin Lake
- Arraste (Deer Springs) PCT Camp north of Onyx Peak
- Wildhorse Trail Camp near Sugarloaf Mountain
- Mission Springs PCT Camp east of Barton Flats
- Campfire permits are required for Propane and gas stoves used outside of developed recreation sites.
- Organizational Camps are subject to Forest Service fire permits.
- Forest Road 1N34 is closed to motorized vehicles at Lytle Creek Road
- Recreational shooting is limited to Public Shooting Ranges operated by concessionaire or special use permits.
- Hunting is permitted, subject to California Fish & Game Regulations.
- Tracer, armor piercing, steel core, and Teflon ammunitions are prohibited, as is discharging a firearm at any exploding target.
- 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.
- Smoking is limited to enclosed buildings, inside vehicles and developed recreation sites.
- Fireworks are always prohibited on the San Bernardino National Forest.
Arrowhead Ranger Station 909-382-2758
Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center 909-382-2790
Idyllwild Ranger Station 909-382-2922
Lytle Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2851
Mill Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2882
Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument 760-862-9984
For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/sbnf
