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Fire Restrictions Reduced on the San Bernardino National Forest

US Forest Service, San Bernardino National Forest

By VickiW
Wednesday, December 3, 2008

San Bernardino, CA — With the recent significant rainfall and cooler temperatures across the southland, the San Bernardino National Forest will reduce fire restrictions on the forest effective today, December 3.

San Bernardino National Forest (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

"The recent weather has reduced the risks of wildfire on our mountains so we're allowing some activities to resume on the forest," announced Forest Supervisor Jeanne Wade Evans.

Under the reduced fire restrictions, wood and charcoal fires will once again be allowed in agency-provided campfire rings at designated sites including campgrounds, picnic grounds and yellow post sites. Camping outside of designated sites will also be allowed, although campfires are never permitted in these locations. Target shooting will reopen in designated shooting areas.

"Our visitors, as well as local residents, have really been cooperative with our fire restrictions this year," said Wade Evans. "I'm grateful for their support, and want to remind folks to continue to be vigilant year-round."

San Bernardino National Forest Supervisor Jeanne Wade Evans (Photo by Michael P. Neufeld.)

The favorable change in weather also provides the opportunity to resume annual winter pile burning activities on hazardous fuels reduction projects within the forest. Smoke and flame may be occasionally visible from the roadways and firefighters will have "prescribed fire" signs posted in project areas. The winter burning program will continue through early spring as weather and conditions permit.

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 or yellow post sites and only 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.
• 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.
• Recreational shooting is limited to designated sites and public shooting ranges operated under special use permit only, except those engaged in legal hunting.

Designated shooting areas on the forest include:

• Forest Road 2N02 East of Baldwin Lake Road
• Forest Road 2N93 Lighting Gulch
• Forest Road 5S07 North of Highway 74
• Forest Road 1N09 East of Highway 330 (temporarily closed until further notice)
• Forest Road 3N14 North of Highway 38 (temporarily closed until further notice)
• The San Jacinto Ranger District has general forest areas open to target shooting; call the Ranger Station for locations.

Public Ranges operated under special use permit include:

• Arrowhead Fish & Game (909-337-3310)
• Big Bear Valley Sportsman's Club (909-585-4686)
• Lytle Creek Firing Line (909-782-7438)

(Photo by USFS.)

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

For additional information about the San Bernardino National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/.