Burning Restrictions Reduced in Cleveland National Forest After Recent Rains

Effective Tuesday morning at 6:00 am, March 4, 2014, fire restrictions on the Cleveland National Forest will be reduced to the “General” level. 

The recent rain and cooler temperatures have lessened likelihood that small fires will become larger fires.  General Fire Restrictions are the standard, baseline restrictions that are always in effect.  See below for a list of General Fire Restrictions.  

The purpose of fire restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused fires throughout the year.  Fire restrictions impose limitations on forest users and are implemented to help prevent wildfires.  

The Cleveland National Forest fire restriction system works in conjunction with the daily National Fire Danger Rating System.  The National Fire Danger Rating System is a scientific calculation that takes into account several factors such as fuel conditions, expected weather effects on fuels, burning indices, live fuel moistures, and energy release component calculations, to establish the likelihood of a fire starting within a 24 hour period.  

General Fire Restrictions:

1.       Fireworks are never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest.

2.       Spark arrestors are required for all off-highway vehicles, chainsaws, and other internal combustion equipment.

3.       Welding, grinding, cutting and the use of explosives are allowed only with proper authorization issued by Forest officials.

4.       Wood or charcoal fires are allowed only in developed campgrounds and developed picnics areas within designated fire rings.

5.       The use of gas and liquid stoves and lanterns, and jelly petroleum stoves are allowed in all areas of the Cleveland National Forest.

6.       Discharge of firearms is currently prohibited on the Forest except for the purpose of hunting during the designated hunting season as established by the California Department of Fish and Game.  Target shooting areas are not currently available on the Forest.

7.       Discharging a firearm using the following ammunition is never allowed on the Cleveland National Forest to include hunting seasons:  Steel core ammunition; armor piercing ammunition; and tracer ammunition.

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

Descanso Ranger Station           619-445-6235

Palomar Ranger Station              760-788-0250

Trabuco Ranger Station              951-736-1811

For additional information about the Cleveland National Forest, please visit: http://www.fs.usda.gov/cleveland