Fire Restrictions Reduced on the San Bernardino National Forest
Date: Nov 22, 2010

San Bernardino, Calif., November 22, 2010 - With recent rain across the southland, forest officials on the San Bernardino National Forest reduced fire restrictions today. Under the reduced fire restrictions, visitors may 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 sites in the Big Bear area and San Jacinto Ranger District. “With the recent storms and snow across the mountains, the fire danger has lowered, however I want to remind folks to continue to be fire safe and vigilant year-round,” said Forest Supervisor Tom Gillett.

Current fire restriction and guidelines in effect on the San Bernardino National Forest are as follows:

• 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 those engaged in legal hunting.
• The 1N09 Recreational Shooting area remains closed.
• 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 vehicles, developed recreation sites and areas cleared of vegetation, three feet in diameter.
• 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.

Forest visitors are encouraged to “Know Before You Go” and call ahead to the local Ranger Station to check on location conditions and restrictions.

Arrowhead Ranger Station 909-382-2758
Big Bear Ranger Station & Discovery Center 909-382-2790
Lytle Creek Ranger Station 909-382-2851
Idyllwild Ranger Station 909-382-2922
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