The Angeles National Forest has taken this step to enhance public awareness that wildfire probability increases as temperatures rise and brush dries out. The current live fuel moisture levels in shrubs and brush have decreased to historically low fuel moistures levels, and recent large fire activity has increased in southern California. Because of the increased risk of wildfires and the threat to public safety, many forest activities are now restricted:
- Use of wood and charcoal fires, or propane stoves are restricted except identified campgrounds or picnic areas.
- The use of gas and petroleum jelly stoves is restricted to designated sites.
- Smoking is allowed only in an enclosed vehicle or building. No fireworks are allowed.
- Shooting of tracer, armor-piercing, Teflon, and steel core ammunition is prohibited.
- Welding, grinding, cutting, and the use of explosives are allowed only with the proper permit.
- Spark arresters are required on off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion engines.
All fireworks are prohibited on national forest system lands; possession or use of fireworks, including the “safe and sane” variety, is prohibited at all times in the Angeles National Forest under federal law. Forest patrols will strictly enforce these new restrictions. A violation of the law can result in a $5,000 fine and/or six months in jail. Also, anyone causing a wildfire is liable for all costs of suppressing the fire.
Forest visitors should check spark arrestors (required year-round) on off-road vehicles, chain saws and other equipment with internal-combustion engines to ensure they are in working order. Drivers in the forest should stay on designated roads and never park on dry brush or grass, to avoid the risk of starting a fire. Human-caused wildfires account for 94 percent of all wildfires on the (ANF/SGMNM), which damage natural resources and threaten lives and property.
Remember ONE LESS SPARK can mean ONE LESS WILDFIRE.
