Fire restrictions in effect for parts of national forest

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Posted: Thursday, June 26, 2008 10:16 AM CDT

The U.S. Forest Service announced that, because of high fire dangers, Wednesday temporary fire restrictions will go into effect for high-hazard areas of the Stanislaus National Forest, which includes the lower elevation areas of the Calaveras Ranger District.

Along the Highway 4 corridor, the line demarcating the high hazard area is at Black Springs Road, 19 miles east of the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines. Lands west and south of that point are considered a high hazard area.

The restrictions will remain in effect until the end of the 2008 fire season, or otherwise terminated.

The restrictions prohibit campfires, briquette barbecues and smoking outside developed campgrounds in designated high hazard areas of the forest. Welding and blasting also are prohibited, except by special permit.

“Hot, dry weather and tinder-dry conditions continue to persist in high hazard areas of the forest,” said Forest Supervisor Susan Skalski. “This forest order serves as an extra measure to help reduce the potential for large and damaging wildfires. We are asking the public’s cooperation in helping us prevent destructive fires before they start.”

The following prohibitions apply for high hazard areas:

-Campfires: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire (including briquette fueled) or stove fire is prohibited, except within developed campgrounds and recreation sites. A portable stove or lantern that uses gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel may only be used with a valid California campfire permit. A list of designated campgrounds is available at the Calaveras Ranger Station in Hathaway Pines.

-Campfires are also not permitted in Moore Creek Campground on the Calaveras Ranger District.

-Smoking: Prohibited except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

-Welding: Operating an acetylene or other torch with an open flame is prohibited, except by permit.

-Explosives: Prohibited except by permit.

Violations of these prohibitions are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. High-hazard areas will be patrolled by Stanislaus Forest law enforcement officers and fire prevention specialists. Persons knowingly violating the restrictions may be cited.

All burning permits were suspended in early May for lands outside the national forest, on lands protected by Cal fire. However, the suspension does not apply to campfires in organized campsites open to the public, or on private property, if the purpose of the campfire is for cooking or warmth and the campfire is maintained so as to prevent it from spreading to wildland vegetation.

More information can be learned by calling the Calaveras Ranger Station at 795-1381.

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